Oliver Kingonzilla, an 19-year-old central midfielder who has played for Barnet in the Herts Senior Cup and has trained with the first team squad, has been stabbed to death after a fight outside a bar in Croydon.
Paul Fairclough, Ian Hendon and the Barnet directors heard about the death of the teenager just before kick-off against Morecambe at Underhill.
The manager said: "The news upset me. He was a gentle giant".
Fairclough recommended Kingonzilla to Peter Edwards at the PROTEC academy after he had trained with Barnet.
The youngster captained the Barnet U18 team in the Youth Alliance last season and also skippered the England Colleges FA against Italy.
Speaking on behalf of Barnet FC, spokesman Dennis Signy said: "We were shocked to hear the news - Oliver was a young lad hoping to make his way in the gamewho has already played for the Bees. Our condolences go to Oliver's family, his friends and all at PROTEC".
Police say a two youths has been arrested after Oliver's death.
Dennis Signy
