Reading lead tributes following death of academy star

Reading FC have led tributes to academy player Stewart McEwan, 13, who died during a canoeing exercise on a non-football related trip to Brecon in Wales on Saturday.

Chairman John Madejski sent his support to the family of the promising goalkeeper: "This is devastating news and our sincere condolences go to Stewart's family, who we will of course try to support in any possible way."

The club are in contact with Stewart's family about how best to honour him. On Saturday, Reading host Southampton at the Madejski Stadium and it is expected that the players will wear black armbands in his memory. There may also be a one minute silence or applause depending on the wishes of Stewart's parents.

Director of football Nick Hammond said: "I have said many times that Reading is very much a community club, and Stewart was a part of our community. Fans, staff and players here are all very, very sad at this point in time.

"News like this just knocks the wind from your sails and you can't begin to comprehend what Stewart's family must be going through - the thoughts of everyone here at the club are with them.

"We are in discussions with them for tributes at the weekend and beyond, it is a very, very sad situation.

"He was a young man with his life in front of him. It puts football so much into perspective and we need to think about that. His was a young life and this is desperately, desperately sad."

In a statement, Stewart's parents said: "We are devastated by the loss of Stewart. He was a boy who grabbed life. He loved his sport and there wasn't anything he didn't enjoy.

"We were very proud of all his sport achievements particularly when he was signed by Reading Football Club."

Reading Academy manager Eamonn Dolan said: "At times like this words seem so feeble, in fact they probably are, but they are all we have to express our appreciation of Stewart's contribution to the Reading FC football family.

"From the chairman and Nigel Howe to Steve Coppell and Nick Hammond and all the other Academy and Reading Football Club staff, we together would like to express our sincere condolences to Stewart's family and friends. You are in our thoughts and in our prayers."

Police have said circumstances surrounding his death are still being established and a post mortem is yet to be carried out.