A FOOTIE-mad teen with a severe nut allergy collapsed and died after eating a chicken ball from a pal's Chinese.
James Turnbull went into anaphylactic shock after getting off a bus on his way home to Long Eaton.
The 15-year-old had been out with mates before collapsing – medics battled to save him for 50 minutes before he died on February 24.
The youngster was due to take his GCSEs later this year and hoped to join the Derby County Community Trust Football and Education Programme.
James, from who played centre back Sandiacre Town FC in Derbyshire, had suffered from a nut allergy for many years.
His devastated dad, Mark, from Sandiacre, Derbyshire, said: "There are no words. I was very proud of him.
"He was outgoing and popular. He loved his football and his music and really enjoyed being out with his mates.
"He was gearing up for a future in football, he was refereeing for the Derby Mini League and was a talented footballer.
"He was on the bus from Borrowwash to Long Eaton, by the time he got off the bus he had collapsed.
"He had four or five mates with him. Paramedics worked on him for 50 minutes but had to call it a day.
"He had a nut allergy and it was a nut reaction. He could smell a nut at 50 yards.
"His mates had a Chinese,he took a chicken ball which had traces of nut in it, and he went into an anaphylactic shock."
His mum, Jenny Turnbull, 41, added: "He was a beautiful, gentle and funny lad who I could never tell off because he would make me laugh."
Plans are underway to build a 3G football pitch at James' school, Friesland School in Sandiacre and it is hoped it will be named after him.
Alan Ure, chairman of Sandiacre Town FC said the team which played with James for about three years have been left devastated by his shock death.
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"He was one of those lads that was so popular," said Mr Ure." He was a character and attracted people to him. He was a nice guy, a bit of a jack the lad.
"He was a good player and had a good chance of doing something in football such as playing, referring or coaching.
"He was really enthusiastic about being involved in the project for a 3G pitch. It would be nice to name it after him.
"Everyone is devastated. It was out of blue. You just think about that young life and how fragile it was."
The funeral will be held on March 19 at Saint Michael's church in Bramcote, Nottingham at 1.45pm.
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