A FOOTBALL club has paid tribute to a ‘fantastic lad’ who was killed while on a night out.

Jay Jay Livesey Taylor, 23, was assaulted in Esco-bar in Darwen at about 1.20am on Sunday.

Jay Jay, from Darwen, was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment but died.

A post mortem examination concluded he died as a result of a serious injury to his neck.

His girlfriend Amber Greenwood, who lives in Blackburn, said he was ‘an amazing, selfless guy, who loved football.’

He played for The Crown pub football team and shocked players have paid tribute to the young man.

Jay Jay joined the club at the end of last season and was described as a ‘fantastic player’.

David Gibson, who runs the club, said: “We were all shocked when we found out, we couldn’t believe it.

“We thought it was some kind of sick joke.

“He was a fantastic lad.

“We were so shocked this sort of thing happened to him.

“He wouldn’t say boo to a goose.

“He was a very, very good player and he would play anywhere for the team.

“He was very loyal too, a couple of other teams had tried to get him to join them but he said he was sticking with us.”

David said Blackburn Sunday League are planning to hold a minute’s silence for the next two weekends in his memory.

A memorial football game will be held at Darwen football club on Sunday February 11. Gates open at 1.30pm and kick off at 3pm.

Detectives investigating the death have arrested three men.

Police had launched a manhunt to trace Jack Costello and officers confirmed the 45-year-old handed himself in on Monday afternoon. He was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Officers said two other people arrested earlier as part of the investigation have been released on bail until February 13.

They are a 32-year-old man, from Darwen, arrested on suspicion of murder and a 30-year-old man, from Darwen, arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Detective Supt Jill Johnston, of Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts remain first and foremost with Jay Jay’s family and friends and we have specially trained officers supporting them at this difficult time.

“Our investigations are very much continuing and while we have made a number of arrests I would like to thank the community for their support and assistance so far.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.