TRIBUTES have been paid to a talented and popular footballer who died after a hit-and-run incident.

Jonathon Stuart Palmer, known to his friends as Jon, was leaving the Duke of York pub, in Berrow, near Malvern, when he was hit by a green Audi Cabriolet car, also leaving the pub, at about 1.50am on Monday.

Paramedics attended but the 21-year-old was declared dead.

The driver of the Audi left the scene and the car was found abandoned nearby.

Family pays tribute to popular footballer Jon Palmer

PE teacher Grant Mathews, who taught the gifted sportsman at Hanley Castle High School, remembered him as a “lovely, energetic, enthusiastic young man”.

He said when Jon arrived at the school in year eight he was already a West Bromwich Albion Academy player.

“He made a great impact on the school when he arrived. Jon was very gregarious, outgoing and everyone’s friend.”

He left the school in 2008, at the end of year 11.

Mr Mathews said: “I remember him very well. He was a delightful young man at school, a brilliant sportsman and was very much part of the furniture here.

"He was a charming young man who had great friends and was very popular among all the pupils.

“Jon was also an exceptionally gifted and talented footballer. It’s a sad loss to the school and for all who remember him.”

Mr Palmer played for Gloucester City AFC under-18s and was in his fourth season of playing for Hanley Swan Football Club.

Graham Holmes, secretary at Hanley Swan FC, said everyone was in shock.

“Jon was a keen footballer and a very good footballer who was well liked by all of his team mates and got on well with everyone," he said. 

"He was one of our best players and had won awards for being the club’s players’ player, and top scorer. Our thoughts are with his family.”

* A 34-year-old man arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving has been released on police bail pending further enquiries. Anyone with information should call 101.