THE manager of Rhiannon Brown’s football club has paid tribute to a “class act” who was the “best in the league”.

Kelvin Jackson, who oversees the Swindon Town Under-16s ladies' team, said he was devastated to hear news of 15-year-old Rhiannon’s tragic death last week, after a short illness.

And the 27-year-old said goalkeeper Rhiannon, a pupil at the Dorcan Academy, was a leader and a character both on and off the pitch.

“From a footballing point of view, she was the best in the league in my opinion,” he said.

“She was a class act, always brave and courageous, trying to be a leader from the back and very vocal.”

He said throughout his three seasons managing teams in which Rhiannon played, her passion for the game had been obvious.

“When you saw her at football, she just loved being there,” he said.

“It’s been really hard, really testing, because you realise you’re their friend as well as their manager. We’re in testing times but we are determined to get through as a team.”

Tributes to the youngster have poured in since news of her death, from what is believed to have been a suspected aneurysm.

Swindon Town captain Nathan Thompson and his teammates have expressed their sympathy, along with Rhiannon’s teachers at Dorcan Academy.

And on Sunday, members of the Swindon Spitfires joined together with their opponents Melksham by paying tribute to the youngster with a minute’s applause.

It is understood her funeral will be held on February 16.

Her manager, Kelvin, said he hoped the squad would be able to help each other through the difficult time and remember their teammate doing what she loved – playing football.

“At football was where Rhiannon belonged,” Kelvin added.

“She was such a character and it was such a pleasure to coach and manage her.”