FORMER Gulls player Mark Loran flew to Spain to attend the funeral of his friend Mark Gennard (pictured), who died suddenly on December 12.

Mark was a pupil at Torquay Boys' Grammar School in the 1980s, a former England schoolboys football captain and well-known amateur footballer in the Bay.

He was found dead in Alicante, Spain, aged 42.

His funeral in Spain on Thursday was well attended by family and friends from the UK and Spain.

Mark Loran, from Plainmoor, Torquay, was among them, with another of Mark's friends Darren Watts, of Galmpton.

Speaking from Spain following the funeral, Mark said: "We didn't know what to expect really as it was a Spanish funeral but it was a really good turn out.

"A lot of Mark's Spanish friends were there and his sons, and friends from England.

"I'm glad we came. I've known Mark since he was 12, since he first moved down to Brixham.

"He was a good mate, a genuine guy and I was really shocked when he died."

Darren added: "It was very emotional for me and Mark nice to see so many of his Spanish friends and family.

"It was a nice service."

Brixham Villa's John Charles, who recently won BBC South West Sports Awards for more than 50 years' service with the club, also got to know Mark when he moved to the port.

"I remember putting the nets up at Furzeham and his gran came up to me and said she had a grandson who used to play for Wolverhampton boys and could he come up and join the Grasshoppers.

"I said, of course, and as soon as I saw him I realised how good he was.

"He must have captained them at every age group right up to under 18. He was a superb player and a great person. I was flabbergasted when I heard about his death. He was a smashing fella."

Mark leaves three children.