CHESHAM United footballer Ryan Moran has lost his battle against cancer at the age of 31.

Moran passed away this morning at the Isabel Hospice in Welwyn Garden City from a rare form of kidney cancer.

A benefit match for the popular central defender held in May raised £7,000, with Moran having made five appearances for the side last season while battling the disease.

Chesham manager Andy Leese said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, his parents, his sister, extended family and friends. It is a tragic unimaginable loss to his family at just 31 years of age.

"We are all devastated within the club having lost a fantastic guy, a friend and a top class footballer way too early in life. We have seen him in the last few days and he was in good spirits notwithstanding his serious illness.

"He fought his illness as he lived his life, with integrity, dignity, courage and fortitude. Rest in peace big man."