Former Cliftonville manager Gerard Lyttle has described Jerry Thompson as a shining example to any young footballer trying to make it in the game.
The Irish League community is still reeling from the sudden death of the 24-year-old on Tuesday .
Thompson - from North Belfast - started his career with Cliftonville Olympic and also had spells with clubs including Larne, Donegal Celtic, Portadown and Ards.
He joined Carrick Rangers in August and had been one of the club's star players this season, scoring once in 10 appearances.
He was named man of the match in last Saturday's 3-0 win over Institute, in what would turn out to be his last game for Carrick.
It was at Cliftonville Olympic that Thompson started his career, helping the young Reds win the Reserve League title in 2016 before leaving the club the same year.
"I knew Jerry from when he was a young boy. He lived beside me at one stage when he was growing up, just off the Cavehill," Lyttle said.
"He played for Cliftonville reserves when I was there as coach and then manager and he was doing well. He would have been about 19 or so when he was at the club.
"You saw the comments on social media, how popular he was and how nice a kid he was.
"He was a talented boy as well, but the one thing that stuck out for me was as a youth player trying to break into the reserve team, he knew his strengths.
"He knew at one stage that he potentially wasn't going to break into Cliftonville's first team, but he didn't want to sit about and wear the tracksuit.
"He decided to go and try elsewhere, and that's what I loved about him. He wanted to play first team football so he took the initiative to move to another club to try and achieve that.
"He did well, and this season he was flying for Carrick.
"I always kept an eye out for Jerry to see how he was doing at the clubs he was at. I thought he had really settled in this season with Niall Currie at Carrick.
"And you see the comments on Twitter and Facebook, how popular he was with Carrick's fans and also the other clubs he played for.
"I think that drive and determination is something every young player can learn from. Sometimes you have to use your own drive and initiative to succeed."
Saturday's game between Cliftonville and Carrick Rangers has been postponed as a mark of respect.
Cliftonville defender Conor McDermott said it was an important time for other clubs and players to rally round Carrick.
"That's the main thing, that we are all here for the club and the family, and showing the respect for Jerry," McDermott said.
"From what I have heard and seen, he was a well respected lad and my heart goes out to his family and friends."
Anyone who needs to talk to someone about mental health issues can call the Samaritans on 116123 or Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
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