FAMILY and friends are mourning the death of a 19-year-old Thurrock man who lost his life in an industrial accident on Saturday – just three days before his 20^th birthday.

To honour the memory of Billy Kilduff-Partridge from Grays, his family and friends are asking for a minute's applause in the 19th minute of Sunday's match at the London Stadium against Spurs. Billy was a life-long and passionate West Ham United supporter,

Tributes to Billy have been manyfold, with Grays Athletic goalkeeper Danny Sambridge, who played his last match for the club last weekend, among the first to express his grief.

Danny runs a goalkeeping coaching school, which Billy took part in.

The much-respected local footballer said: "I am devastated to hear Billy has passed away. Bill was one of the first boys I coached, and was one of the most genuine, warm, kindest kids you'd hope to come across.

"I was proud to coach him, especially so early in my coaching career, having a boy like him made my job easy.

"After Billy had stopped playing I saw him in a pub local to me. He came running up to me with that massive cheesy grin, beaming with pride telling me how he'd just started driving, had a good job and was really excited to tell me how he was getting on.

"That moment then, was one of my proudest moments as a coach, and a moment that I'll cherish for ever. He was an absolute credit to his parents and his family."

On Tuesday, on what should have been Billy's birthday, family and friends gathered at the Treacle Mine pub in Grays to remember and honour him, releasing dozens of claret and blue balloons.