NORTHERN non-league football fans are mourning one of the game's most popular characters.

Goalkeeper Stephen Tierney, from Hartlepool, died yesterday morning, aged 34, only days after he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

The 17-stone goalkeeper is remembered by friends and colleagues as being a big man with a big heart.

Mr Tierney, who was married with two young children, spent several seasons with Northern League side Horden CW before he joined Billingham Synthonia at the start of this season. He also played regularly for Sunday side Hartlepool Lion.

One of his finest moments came for Hartlepool Lion in the final of the FA All-England Sunday Cup against Bedfordshire side FC Houghton at Aston Villa's ground in 2001.

The game had finished 0-0 after extra time and Mr Tierney saved three penalties in the ensuing shoot-out to ensure Hartlepool won.

Bobby Brown, from Hartlepool Lion, said: "He was an excellent goalkeeper and probably could have gone further, but he chose to stay in the North-East."

Billingham manager and chairman Stuart Coleby said: "He was only with us a short time, but his influence within the club was massive. It is a great shock. He was a really, really smashing guy."

Mr Tierney worked as a joiner for Stephens Contractors Limited.

His boss, Norman Stephens, who is also chairman of Horden CW, said: "He was a massive man and big-hearted as well, and this is why everybody is so devastated."

The match due to be played today between Billingham Synthonia and Whitley Bay has been postponed out of respect.