Sam Wilson, 26, played for Sunday league football team AFC Curzon (Picture: Facebook/Curzon AFC)

Tributes from friends and family have been paid to a man who died when a van mowed down a group of people in the centre of Ilkestone yesterday morning.

Sam Wilson, 26, died at the scene on the Derbyshire town’s Market Place despite efforts to save him.

He played as number 12 for the Nottingham-based Sunday league team AFC Curzon.

In a post on the club’s Facebook page, team manager Wayne Riley wrote: ‘He always played with a smile on his face was never greedy always wanting to set others up instead of having a go himself.

‘I have lost a very good footballer, a great lad and a good mate.

‘Until I can be your football manager again Sam and we meet again on the heavenly pitch R.I.P you will be truly missed.’

Sam’s sister Abbie wrote on a JustGiving page set up in memory of her brother: ‘Our hearts will forever be broken, and there are no words to describe to huge hole it has left in all of our hearts.’

Two other men were taken to hospital after being injured in the crash, which happened just after 2am on Saturday, but have since returned home.

A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder shortly after the incident. He remains in police custody.

Market Place was closed off by police for much of Saturday, but reopened in the evening.

Officers said they are keen to talk to anyone who might have witnessed an ‘altercation’ at the Market Inn pub shortly before the crash.

The pub is located on Market Place, and closes at 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Croome, the senior officer leading the investigation, said: ‘We have a team of officers working to establish the events of that night, which has included viewing CCTV footage from around the Market Place that night.

‘I would like to thank all those who have come forward and spoken to us as part of our enquiries so far.’