Team mates of an 'amazing' hockey goalkeeper who died during a match are to commemorate him before their fixtures tomorrow.

Oxford Hockey Club 7s player Tim Bence collapsed and died on the pitch last Saturday as his team took on British Airways 2s.

At 4pm tomorrow his side face Slough Swifts 2s at Oxford Brookes Sports Centre in Headington, with tributes planned before the game.

There will be 30 seconds silence, followed by three cheers and then 30 seconds applause, a tribute that will be repeated at the other 13 games the club's sides are involved in.

Mum Sylvia and dad Mike, from Swinbrook in West Oxfordshire, paid tribute to the self-employed gardener, who will be remembered ahead of the club's fixtures today.

Mrs Bence said: "His clients are really upset that he is gone, he was really enthusiastic and a great gardener.

"He was a much loved son and brother.

"He loved his hockey and we are grateful that is how he died, doing something he loved surrounded by people he loved.

"We did not realise how much he was loved."

When 43-year-old Mr Bence collapsed on the pitch at Queens Park Rangers FC's training ground in Harlington, London, players, medical staff and paramedics rushed to his aid but were unable to save him.

The former pupil of Wood Green School lived in Swinbrook with his sister Toni.

After leaving school he went to college in Dorset before later training at the Botanic Garden in Oxford and then working as a gardener at Magdalen College.

Oxford Hockey Club chairman Richard Oakes said: "We are still in shock as he was genuinely such a nice guy.

"Tim has been a keen and enthusiastic member of the club for many years playing in goal for both the men’s and mixed sections and he readily endeared himself to both team members and opponents alike.

"He was happy to stand on the touchlines and meet anybody.

"He was so positive about everything, even in a 7-0 thrashing.”

Tributes have also been paid to him on social media by friends and past and present players.

Anand Gupta said: "Tim was an amazing man. Never met someone so good natured in such an innocent way.

"Was always happy, never sad. Always gave me a big bear hug before every game.

"Wish I could give him one now.”

Lucy Brady added: “The world has lost one of the most genuine and kind men.

"A man who touched the hearts of everyone he met with the biggest goalie padded hugs and the greatest words of encouragement."

Yesterday Mrs Bence told the Oxford Mail she was frustrated at the amount of time it had taken to get her son's body back.

She and her husband were told it had been moved from Harefield Hospital in West London to an undertaker nearby, but had struggled to get in touch with the coroner despite calling many times.

Today, after the West London Coroner's officer was contacted by the Oxford Mail, they pledged to speak to Mr Bence's parents as soon as possible.