FRIENDS of Brett Cove tried to persuade him to go out just hours before he died when a fire destroyed his house.

But the 34-year-old, a coach for the Amersham Town Football Club's under 18s, turned them down because he said he was feeling unwell and stayed in.

Mr Cove was found dead by firefighters in his garden in Honorwood Close, Prestwood, on Saturday night.

It is believed he died after jumping through a first floor window as the blaze raged through the house.

David Holdcroft, chairman of Amersham Town Football Club, said Mr Cove would always go out on Saturday night, but for once had decided to stay in.

He said: "They did phone him up and he said 'No I'm not up to it. I need to rest. I don't feel so good', and everyone is now saying 'what if?'. It is such a shame."

Mr Holdcroft added: "He was my right hand man and did so much together. He will be greatly missed. Brett was thought very highly of by everyone."

The club are now planning to set up a tribute to Mr Cove, who worked for the club for around six years.

Mr Holding added: "We would like something at the ground, like naming a pitch. But obviously we need to be able to speak to the father and the brother. We were devastated, he was such a jovial guy."

The youth team players have set up a shrine to their coach, with flowers laid under the window at their club house in Mill Lane, Amersham. They have also written a few heartfelt messages.

They wrote: "Brett, not just our coach but a friend too. Thank you for everything. Rest in Peace."

David Sanders, who helped Mr Cove with the team, said: "It is very tragic. I know all the boys are gutted. You don't know how fond you are of someone until they are not there."

More than 30 firefighters were called out at 10pm to the house, which Mr Cove shared with his brother and dad. No one else was injured in the fire.