A YOUNG footballer said to have a bright future ahead of him was killed in a car crash – just an hour before he was due to train with his new club.

Callum MacKinnon was the back seat passenger in a blue Citroen C3 which crashed into a tree along the B4020 Shilton Road, between Burford and Carterton.

The 20-year-old male driver, and a 19-year-old man sitting in the front passenger seat, were treated for minor injuries at the John Radcliffe Hospital but were later released.

Mr MacKinnon, who would have turned 19 next week, played for Witney United under 18s, and had taken part in his first match with Cirencester Town Academy’s development squad last Saturday – where his team beat Binfield one-nil.

Yesterday, friends left held a vigil at the scene of the accident, and spoke of their grief for the popular 18-year-old.

His best friend Graeme Day, 18, from Carterton, said: “He was a typical boy who would go out with his mates all of the time. He loved his football and he loved his mates. He was a great lad. He was everybody’s friend and got on with everyone.”

Jade Cridland, 18, also from Carterton, had known Mr MacKinnon since going to Edith Moorhouse Primary School with him at the age of five. She said: “He was the most amazing lad you could ever meet. He was a bit of a joker and loved to go out and wind people up.”

She said Mr MacKinnon, who lived with his parents and two brothers – one older and one younger – had been in Carterton for most of his life.

He was due to attend a training session at Cirencester Town Academy just an hour after he died.

Assistant coach Andy James said: “We were wondering where he was, as Callum never missed a training session; it wasn’t like him. Then we got the phone call to say he had been in a crash.”

He added: “He had a bright future in front of him. Callum always had a smile on his face. He worked hard, trained hard and had everything going for him. Not one player disliked him, he got on with everyone.

“I had great hopes for him. He was a big lad with a big heart and it doesn’t seem fair that he has been taken away.”

Former Carterton Community College pupil Mr MacKinnon was studying for a National Diploma in sport at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College (OCVC) and worked at the Burford Garden Centre.

Des Buckingham, OCVC’s football development manager, said: “Callum was a shining light as both a student and a young footballer.

“His hard work and positive attitude made him one of the most likable and polite people to have ever come through the course.

“Staff, team mates and friends are devastated at this loss and extend our sympathy to his family.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision or who saw the Citroen, prior to the incident, should contact PC Sian Pringle, of Bicester Roads Policing Department, on 08458 505505.

witney@oxfordmail.co.uk