Boy may have had swine flu; TRIBUTE: Shock at the death of talented young footballer.

Byline: Vicky Farncombe

TRIBUTES were today paid to a talented young footballer who died after being suspected of catching swine flu.

Midland health chiefs confirmed they were investigating the cause of 12-year-old Liam Keeling's death on Tuesday.

Liam, from Cannock, was a Year Eight pupil at the town's Cardinal Griffin School and was a midfield player for Wyrley Juniors Under 13 Panthers, a team managed jointly by his dad Andy and co-manager Sean Flaherty.

His mum was too distressed to speak in detail but, when asked if she knew anything about a boy who had died from swine flu, she said: "That was my son."

Mr Flaherty paid tribute to "gentle giant" Liam. "He was a big lad but he'd never hurt anyone," he said. "We are all devastated. He was a diamond footballer.

"He had a rocket of a shot. He'd shoot free kick after free kick. We knew if he was on target, he'd score. Off the pitch, he was very quiet really.

"He was one of the boys, he would have a laugh, but when we got serious, he was one of those who stood and listened and wanted to learn.

"He didn't mess about. He was very polite, always said please and thank you. It's a massive shock."

NHS West Midlands health offi-cials said yesterday that two more people from the region had died of swine flu - bringing the total number of deaths in the area to 15.

But no information about the fatalities was released and it was not clear whether Liam's death was included in the figures. A South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust spokesman said: "I can confirm a pupil from Cardinal Griffin was taken ill and taken into hospital and subsequently died on October 27.

"Our deepest thoughts go out to his family and friends.

"Further tests are being undertaken to determine the cause of death."

CAPTION(S):

Victim: Liam Keeling with some of the trophies he won playing football.