THE family of Daniel Mason have thanked all those throughout the county that observed a minute’s silence in his memory before matches played last weekend.

Daniel, a Level 5 referee, from Stowmarket, passed away on November 21st, aged just 33.

The cause of Daniel's untimely death has now been confirmed as being diabetes related.

Suffolk FA Senior Referee Development Officer Alan Dale said: “Daniel was a well-respected figure amongst his colleagues and the refereeing family will miss him dearly.

“The infectious laugh that Dan possessed meant that he was a popular figure in any match day environment or dressing room.

“On behalf of everyone at Suffolk FA, our thoughts and condolences are with Daniel’s family.”

His funeral service will be held at St Andrew’s Church, Great Finborough on Friday, December 14th at 2pm.

His family have asked that flowers and charitable donations to Suffolk Football Association, which will be used for the development of referees in the county, can be sent to Meredith Greengrass Funeral Service in Stowmarket.

Daniel is pictured above (third from the left) at last season’s Suffolk FA Senior Reserve Cup Final at Needham Market FC when he was an assistant referee.