We were so proud of him -- that is how Joe Antonowicz described the family's feelings for footballer Robin who died after a car crash.

And his father's words were echoed in scores of messages sent to the Oxford City Football Club website from individuals and football clubs all over the region.

Books of condolence have been opened at City's ground and at Hightone Health and Fitness Centre in High Street, Wallingford, where Robin, 23, worked as a fitness instructor.

Oxford City players stood in silence in his memory and wore black armbands at their match on Saturday.

Robin died in hospital on Wednesday, five days after he was involved in an incident where his car hit a tree on the B4009 at Little Stoke near Wallingford. Firemen had to cut him free from the wreckage.

Mr Antonowicz said: "We were so proud of him and what he had achieved.

"It is difficult to find words to express how we feel and how to express our emotions at this time.

"The support we as a family have received from friends and people he has played against has been amazing.

"It has opened our eyes to how well thought of he was at work and play. We have had lots of messages from people with whom he went to school."

Robin went to the European School at Culham, to Abingdon College and to Worcester University where he gained a BSc degree in sports sciences.

He has an older brother Dan -- who had his 28th birthday on Saturday -- and an older sister Julia.

He lived with his father Joe and mother Sheila at Elmcroft in Goring.

The funeral is at Dorchester Abbey at 10.45am on Friday.

His family has invited all his friends and colleagues to the service, to send flowers and to make donations.

The money made will be sent to a charity of the family's choice -- a choice which will be made after the funeral has been completed.

Messages on the website were from clubs in Corby, Hemel Hempstead, Clevedon, Ardley, Folkestone, Witney, Cirencester, Thame, Barking, Dover, Witney and Bromsgrove and from Crowmarsh Boys where he started his career.

Gerry O'Garr, chairman of AFC Wallingford, joined others in praising Robin's sportsmanship, fair play, skill and commitment to the game.

The messages called him "a model footballer" and "a vibrant young man".

Oxford City's chairman, John Shepperd, said: "Everyone is devastated by the news."