TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular football player and manager who has died suddenly at the age of 43.
Craig McDonald was the third generation of his family to run Stamfordham's football team. He was also an active committee member at Ponteland United.
The former Ponteland High School pupil died on Saturday, after suffering a suspected heart attack. A spokesman for the coroner said a post mortem would be carried out.
Friends from across the district's football community have taken to social media to pay tribute.
Football referee Colin Smith, who is secretary of the Hexham and District Sunday League, told the Courant: "I can't imagine Stamfordham without Craig.
"The whole local football community will miss him enormously."
Read the full story in this week's Hexham Courant.
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