THE family of footballer Lee Pennycuick have paid tribute to the man who called himself ‘The King of Colchester’.

Popular 31-year-old Lee died suddenly in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Yesterday, his dad, John, said the family has been “shattered” by his death but said the outpouring of tributes to the 31-year-old from around the world is “keeping us going”.

Mr Pennycuick, who lives in Edinburgh, said: “The tributes and support we have had has been absolutely overwhelming.

“We have had personal messages from all over the world and from people who never knew him but knew the effect he had on people.

“It all really helps. It’s keeping us going.

“Everytime I look on Facebook, there are more and more things being posted. We’re in awe of it.”

He added: “Lee used to call himself the King of Colchester and we knew he was popular but we had no idea just how [popular].

“It’s an unbelievable situation and we are just trying to get our heads around it.

“We’re dealing with it as best we can.

“You never expect to have to deal with this as a parent but we are a strong family and we are bonded together.”

Ground worker Lee, who played football for Brightlingsea Regent and had three brothers, was born in Germany while his dad was stationed there with the Royal Scottish Regiment.

The family then moved to Inverness, in Scotland, before arriving in Colchester 21 years ago.

Four years ago, Mr Pennycuick’s job as a kit man for the Scottish Rugby Union took the family to Edinburgh but Lee did not want to leave Colchester.

He added: “He didn’t like being away from [Colchester].

“To say he loved Colchester is an understatement.”

Lee was well-known for his long beard, which was initially grown over a year to raise £2,700 for a cancer charity.

And even when the year was up, he raised another £3,000 by shaving it off in public.

Mr Pennycuick added: “Lee lit up the room.

“If you wanted to have a good party, you invited Lee Pennycuick.

“As soon as he arrived stone sober he would get people up dancing and singing - that was him.

“He wouldn’t have people sitting around a table.”

Lee’s funeral has not been arranged but Mr Pennycuick confirmed a service will take place in Colchester.

He added: “It would be selfish of us not to. There are thousands of people who want to say their goodbye.

“He loved Colchester. That was his home and we want to give him the best send-off we can.”