COLCHESTER United footballer Jamie Guy has paid tribute to his friend Lance Corporal James Bateman, one of the soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Thursday.

COLCHESTER United footballer Jamie Guy last night paid tribute to his friend Lance Corporal James Bateman, one of the soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Thursday.

The U's striker left a signed football shirt at the Garrison with a personal message to the tragic soldier.

Mr Guy, 20, said his parents lived a few doors away from the Batemans and the pair had become good friends, socialising together and training at the same gym.

He said: “His wife came around on Thursday night and told me it was him that had been killed. I couldn't believe it to be honest, I still can't believe it.

“I went down there straight away after hearing the news and put a shirt down, a little message and a burning candle.

“I've had a couple of friends who have served out there before and they were lucky enough to come home. They said that things were getting better over there and James had said that, although he would miss his family, he was looking forward to serving as that was the type of guy he was.

“He was the type of guy that you never saw without a smile on his face. He was a genuinely a nice person.”