FRIENDS and team-mates of teenage car crash victim Aaron Waller choked back the tears as they paid a special tribute to their pal.

The 18-year-old, from Thorney Leys, in Witney, died earlier this month when his car crashed off the M40 and into a tree as he was returning home from a night out in Essex.

On Saturday, a minute’s silence was held before a Witney and District League clash between Aaron’s former teams FC Chequers Res and Minster Lovell Res, at Madley Park.

Some of the players, who had been friends with the teenager since they were at school, were visibly upset as the game got under way.

Nathan Clarke, 18, who survived the car crash, led out the Minster Lovell side – which included several of Mr Waller’s friends.

Then, friend and team-mate Mark Edmunds, 18, and first team coach Adrian Foggett laid a wreath in the centre circle before kick-off.

Aaron’s father Robert Waller, 45, watched the tribute from the sidelines.

He said: “We must thank everyone from the lads here at this match to friends and family for their support, because they’ve been fantastic. It’s nice to have this tribute and get together.

“I’m still in shock, but I’m happy the lads have got together and done this.”

Both teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

The wreath laid on the centre circle as a tribute was removed before kick-off and will be taken to Aaron’s funeral on Wednesday.

North Leigh B and the Hollybush, who were playing on an adjacent pitch, also took part in the minute’s silence.

This season was to be Aaron’s first with FC Chequers. Chairman Simon Moore, 31, said: “This is a fitting tribute to a lad who was part of this team.

“It’s a loss to the footballing community and we wanted to show a mark of respect to his family.

“It was a shocking thing that happened. He was only 18. It’s really tragic.”

Mr Waller, a trainee mechanic, was due to play in Saturday’s game and had given up tickets to watch Premier League side Chelsea play at Wigan to ensure he was available.

Mark Edmunds said: “We still can’t believe what happened.

“He had friends on both teams today and was really looking forward to the match.”

School friend Peter Hanley, 18, of Minster Lovell Reserves, attended Queen’s Dyke Primary School and Henry Box School with Aaron.

He said: “This is probably one of the most important games I’ve played in. Aaron was supposed to play today.”

Cody Davies, 18, added: “He was lively, loved his football and will be sorely missed.”

Mr Waller’s car hit a tree before catching fire between junctions three and four on the M40, near High Wycombe, early on Saturday, September 19.

He was on his way home to turn out for FC Chequers in a game later that day, which the club postponed after learning of his death.