FAMILY and friends have bid a poignant farewell to an amateur soccer player who died at the age of 17.

Floral tributes shaped as footballs and in the shape of a Manchester United shirt rested on top of Kyle Rayner's coffin alongside an England flag -- a gentle reminder of the teenager's passion for soccer.

Hundreds of tearful school friends and amateur soccer players packed Westhoughton Parish Church for the funeral yesterday of the popular teenager who was found dead at his home.

As the 700 people crammed into the church, his coffin was carried in to music more associated with the terraces of a football stadium -- Three Lions by the Lightning Seeds.

The Rev Alan Pierce, from Kyle's former school, Canon Slade, caused ripples of laughter as he spoke fondly of the boy's exploits both on and off the field.

Rev Pierce, who described Kyle as having "tremendous talent", said: "Soccer was his life. He had this great zeal and enthusiasm for the game.

"He had a permanent grin on his face -- he was always the joker. It was never dull teaching Kyle."

His former teacher, Ingrid Battersby, also spoke of Kyle's school pranks saying: "He was the charmer and the rebel. He could also be caring and exceptionally supportive. He never walked but he bounced. I think he could infuriate both God and the Devil at the same time."

Touching tributes were also made by his friends, Ben Jones and Steven Obertelli, both 17.

His best friends Ben Johnson, David Renfew and Pete Swift also gave a rendition of Kyle's favourite song, the Ben E King hit, Stand By Me.

The Rev Gordon Smethurst from the Westhoughton parish said: "He was the kind of person that everyone loved. He was so much a part of many people's lives."

A floral tribute spelling out the word "SON" bore a simple message from Kyle's parents, Julie and George, which read: "Night night, sleep tight."

Other floral tributes came from Wingates Football Club and Bolton Boys as well as family and friends.

Kyle had hoped to follow in the footballing footsteps of his dad, George, who used to play for Oldham Athletic.

Kyle had been due to have trials for Bury and Oldham Athletic next month.

An inquest is being held into Kyle's death. There are no suspicious circumstances.