HUNDREDS of people paid their respects to a popular young man from Taunton who was found dead in Goodland Gardens earlier this month.

Mike Perry, 21, of Bishop’s Hull, was found lying in a stream in Goodland Gardens at around 10pm on Sunday, December 1, after going missing following a night out with friends.

Former work colleagues, sporting team mates, friends and family gave Mike, who was described as ‘the life and soul of the party’, a fitting send-off at his funeral at Taunton Crematorium on Monday.

His coffin was painted in Staplegrove Football Club colours with their logo as well as that of Mambo, where Mike worked as a barman.

The coffin bearers were Nick Stilton, Roy Mockridge, Peter Horton and Jim Quick, from Staplegrove Football Club, Rob MacDonald, manager of Mambo, and Sam Thomas, who runs the The Apple and Parrot pub.

Somerset County Gazette:

Players from all five Staplegrove teams wore their club jackets and provided a guard of honour for the funeral procession as Mike’s coffin entered the chapel.

Mike Bird, chairman of the football club, and Rob MacDonald, manager at Mambo’s, gave heartfelt tributes during the funeral service.

The wake was then held in Mambo’s, in North Street, Taunton, and Mr MacDonald said the day was very respectful, adding: “Mike had the send- off he deserved.”

Staplegrove have retired Mike’s first team number two shirt, which secretary Mr Stilton said will be framed and hung in the clubhouse.

He added: “It is to ensure he is never forgotten and a suitable memorial will be placed at the ground in due course after discussions with the family.”

Somerset County Gazette:

As the news of Mike’s death spread, thousands of people left tributes in his name.

His mum, Angela Breckenridge, told the County Gazette last week they were ‘blown away’ by all the support.