A Pembroke Dock family have paid tribute to a loving son who died suddenly aged just 22.

Michael Crocker, known as Crock to his friends, collapsed and died on January 13th, a week after his 22nd birthday.

His parents, Lorraine and Robbie, described Michael, a keen sportsman, as a practical joker and said he was well-known and loved around the town.

Michael, a trained carpenter, spent a month in hospital following a footballing injury in October last year, but was believed to be on the road to recovery at home.

Robbie said: “He was a very likeable person, we have had a lot of messages. He was a loving son and brother to James.

“He was a changed person after coming out of hospital compared to the brash person he was. He had a very nice girlfriend, she is heartbroken.

“He was a big practical joker, he would wind the boys up something rotten. He loved his football and was a big Manchester United fan. When he played for Boro they used to call him Vidic [after Manchester United star Nemanja], that was him big and strong at the back.”

Michael played for a number of teams in south Pembrokeshire and was captain of Pembroke Boro when he was injured.

Heather Aitchison, “one of Michael’s second mums”, said Michael had a heart of gold and had been a great support to her son Lee Walker when he had brain surgery three years ago.

“If anybody wanted his help he’d be there, he was always there for his mates. When Lee was in hospital he was absolutely brilliant,” Heather said.

Robbie and Lorraine thanked everyone for their kind messages, including hundreds left on a Facebook tribute page, which also includes a video of one his jokes on his 18-year-old-brother which Lorraine said is “him to a ‘T’.”

Lorraine added: “He was a right wind-up merchant, people could tell you some stories.”

Many of his friends planned to wear Man United shirts to his funeral, including lifelong Liverpool fan Lee, who bought a shirt with Crocker, 88 (the year of Michael’s birth) on the back in tribute to his friend.

Michael’s funeral was held on Friday at St John’s Church, Pembroke Dock, followed by interment at Llanion Cemetery.