The man who scored Newtown Football Club’s first ever goal in Europe has died at the age of 49.

Romilly Brown, who also played for Llansantffraid, Oswestry Town and Shrewsbury Town, died on Saturday, May 11.

Tributes poured in across mid Wales and the world of football for the Newtown man whose death was announced by his hometown club on the same day as former player Keith Tanner who also died last week.

In a statement, Newtown AFC shared their condolences to Romilly's friends and family.

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“Following his graduation from the Robins' academy, Brown had spells with TNS (Llansantffraid FC at the time), Oswestry Town and Shrewsbury Town," the tribute said.

“Upon his release from Shrewsbury, Romilly re-joined the Robins, his hometown club, and became the first ever Newtown player to score in Europe in a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Latvia's Skonto Riga."

The late footballer's passing sparked a wave of tributes from fans, friends and former schoolmates including one tribute describing him as the "coolest kid in school".

"Not only a great player but a great all round sportsman", the tribute continued. "Loved by everyone who knew him and I've never heard a negative word against him".

Mervyn Lloyd Jones said he was "shocked and in disbelief" after hearing that Romilly had died at such a young age.

"No words will ever be enough," he said, adding that the dad-of-two was "loved by many and anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him".

John Downey, who went to Newtown High School with Romilly, described the talented sportsman as an "inspiration" and a "school hero", adding that "his achievements within sports was something to behold".

Current Newtown AFC chairman Nick Evans, who also grew up with 'Rom' paid tribute to the "great lad and talented footballer", adding that he was "so, so shocked" to hear of his passing.

Another childhood friend, Mark Howells reminisced by saying that he had "spent hour after hour playing heads and volleys on the town hall pitch with him", adding that 'Rom' was a "terrific footballer and just a lovely bloke".

Remembering Romilly at school, his former teacher Phil Williams said it was a privilege to teach the "lovely lad and a very talented footballer".

Richard Pike added that Romilly "will always be remembered in the history of the club" after scoring the Robins' first ever goal in Europe in 1996.