Tributes have been flooding in for Howard Wolfin who collapsed and died playing five-a-side football.

Mr Wolfin, 59, founded a weekly match, which took place at Brunel University in Uxbridge, more than 15 years ago with friends from the Pinner
community.

His most memorable highlight saw his team, Pinner Tuesday, take on a former Spurs team that included Martin Chivers, in a special charity match arranged by his family for his 50th birthday. The event raised more than £1,000 for the Pinner Synagogue Youth and Community Centre.

On May 20, he was struck in the chest by the ball and collapsed unconscious from a suspected heart attack. He died later at Hillingdon Hospital.

The JC has been inundated with messages from family and friends. One read: “Like the consummate showman he was, he left everyone wanting more.”

One of his midweek teammates recalls: “Howard did so much with his life that football turned out to be a small part but he was so passionate about it. He did so much for the community and was a wonderful teacher.”

His son Andrew, who plays Maccabi League football for Faithfold, said: “I am devastated, but I take some comfort from the fact that he died doing something he loved. Dad was a larger-than-life character and a hugely popular and vocal presence on the touchlines. Playing on a Sunday morning won’t be the same without him.”

Mr Wolfin worked in a family textiles business for 40 years. He is survived by wife Diana, three other children and seven grandchildren.