HUNDREDS of mourners gathered today at the funeral of a young footballer who died in Benidorm.

Family, friends and fellow footballers attended the Little Lever funeral of Michael Jones who died on holiday earlier this month.

The 21-year-old, who played for several professional academies, was found dead while on a ‘lads holiday’ in Benidorm after he was separated from his friends following a night out.

It is understood that the young man from Little Lever had fallen over railings at the Apartamentos Viña Del Mar hotel on July 4.

The funeral took place at St Matthew’s Church and was well attended with many having to stand inside and outside the church.

His father Paul Jones described his son, known as Mike to friends and family, as “well-mannered, polite and kind-hearted with an infectious smile”.

He said: “Cherish your children. Tell them that you love them deeply. You never know if and when they’ll be taken from you.”

Michael joined Manchester City before his sixth birthday and played football for a total of 16 years. The young forward played for Manchester United, Bury and Accrington Stanley’s academies as well as local teams including Bolton Town, Ramsbottom United and Little Lever.

Michael, who was about to complete his first full year as a qualified gas engineer, was the third generation in his family to play for his home team of Little Lever where he spent 15 years.

Mr Jones said that Michael started playing football aged three in the hallway of their house in Church Street while his brother would line up toys on the stairs as spectators.

Michael leaves behind parents Paul and Kath, step-mother Janet, brothers Joseph and Robert, and sisters Elisabeth and Sarah.

Mr Jones said: “I would give everything I possess and lay down my own life to have Michael back. It’s times like this you have to reassess what your priorities, or maybe what they should be. For me family wins every time. I understand that now more than ever.”

A gofundme page, set up to help cover the cost of Michael's journey home and his funeral, received almost £10,000.

Mr Jones said that the family was overwhelmed by the support and condolence messages that they received from all over the world.

Joseph told mourners that he would never stop loving his brother and believed that he is happy wherever he is now.

Joseph said: “Although Mike was much smaller than I am and I always had looked down at him, it never changes the fact that I constantly, without question, looked up to him.

“Now, more than ever, I’m looking up to him as he’s looking down on me.”

Michael’s younger sister Elisabeth read a passage from the bible and two songs were played in reflection.