The family of a "truly inspirational teacher" who collapsed and died while refereeing at a football match have described him as a "fantastic man".

Neil Conlon, 61 and who lived at River near Dover, was refereeing a Kent Youth League match between Ramsgate and Hythe Town on Sunday.

Twenty minutes into the match at Ramsgate's Southwood Stadium on Sunday morning, Mr Conlon approached the bench and said he was feeling unwell.

A short time later, he collapsed into the arms of the Hythe Town youth manager Mick Gibbons and an ambulance was called.

Paramedics fought to save the father-of-two's life, but were unable to revive him. The match was abandoned.

Mr Conlon, who retired from teaching six weeks ago, was married to Sandra - a geography teacher at Dover Girls' Grammar School - and they had two daughters, Rebecca and Stephanie. Mr and Mrs Conlon had been making plans for their retirement.

The family, who visited the stadium where he died, said: "Neil was a fantastic man, husband and dad. He would help anybody and although we are deeply saddened by our loss, we find comfort in the fact he died doing what he loved most."

Mr Conlon, originally from Wales, moved to Dover in 1988 to take up a teaching post at Melbourne Primary School. He went on to become the school's head teacher and was well-liked and respected by hundreds of children and their parents as well as the staff.

The school later amalgamated with The Powell School to form Green Park Primary School at The Linces.

Since leaving Melbourne, Mr Conlon had been working at Saxon Way Primary School, in Gillingham, where he was a Year 4 teacher, key stage two co-ordinator and particularly taught maths. He was also involved at Hillyfields Community Park in the town.

"he would help anybody and although we are deeply saddened by our loss, we find comfort in the fact he died doing what he loved most...” – Neil Conlon's grieving family

Mr Conlon played football for several years before suffering an injury and deciding to concentrate on refereeing. He had been taking charge of football matches for more than 30 years and was always offering advice to younger referees.

He was the training officer for the Dover branch of the Referees Association and had also been the branch secretary.

Dick McCarthy, president of the Dover and Deal Primary Schools, said he had known Mr Conlon for more than 30 years.

"He was one of the nicest blokes you could meet, quietly spoken, and one of the best referees I have ever seen," he said.

Kent Youth League chief executive Colin Boswell said: "He was one of our longest-serving referees and he was the first person I would call if I needed someone to do a match as he wouldn’t mess me around. He was known as Mr Reliable."

A statement on the Ramsgate FC official club website read: "Many will have heard the awful news that referee Neil Conlon suddenly passed away yesterday, and it was particularly tragic for the club as it was at the Southwood Stadium while he was officiating at an under 18s match when he was taken ill.

"Our condolences have been passed to his family as they struggle with this unexpected loss, and who visited the stadium earlier today. Rest in Peace."

A minute's silence will be held before all Youth League Matches this Sunday.