A young footballer was fighting for his life last night after being involved in a car crash near Norwich.

Liam Still, 21, a goalkeeper for both Wroxham Reserves FC and Riverside Rovers, suffered serious injuries after the blue Vauxhall Corsa he was driving left the B1108 Watton Road, at Bawburgh, and hit a tree. It happened at about 5.15am on Saturday as he travelling towards Norwich.

Mr Still, nicknamed 'Stillo', was treated at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) but was last night due to be moved to Addenbrooke's Hospital at Cambridge. His condition is described as critical but stable.

Last night the family of the 21-year-old, who lives in Norwich and plays in the Norwich and District Sunday League and the Anglian Combination, told of their devastation, but thanked family and friends for their support.

Their statement read: 'He has left his mark on so many people in his life. Liam is loved and thought so much of, by so many people and this has been evident in the number of visitors to see him in hospital and the kind messages left by a number of people on social networking sites, including amongst others, Darren Huckerby and John Ruddy.

'Liam is a keen sportsman and loves his football, playing in goal for a number of teams over the years, most recently Wroxham Reserves.

'Liam's family have been touched and somewhat overwhelmed with the messages of support and kindness shown since this tragic incident, from, amongst others, his friends, footballing colleagues and work friends from Barclays in Norwich.

'It is clear that he means so much to so many people and touches so many people's lives in his own special way, not least his mum, dad, brother, sisters, grandparents and the rest of his loving family,' it read.

'We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff at the NNUH, especially those in the ITU for their outstanding care, professionalism and patience.

'Further, thanks to all the emergency services who helped Liam straight after his crash. If it wasn't for these people, we would not be in the position that we are now.'

Police are keen to speak to the driver of a black VW Golf believed to have been in the area at about the time.

Contact Sgt Simon Atherton at the roads policing unit on 101.