The goalkeeper of Barton Town Football Club in Lincolnshire has died following an alleged assault in York on Sunday evening.

James Hitchcock, a 28-year-old married father-of-one from East Yorkshire, passed away in hospital on Wednesday after suffering serious head injuries following an incident at the city’s railway station.

Mckenzie Dicicco, 22, of Harsley Road, Stockton-on-Tees, has been charged with murder and affray and is due to appear at York Magistrates’ Court, according to British Transport Police.

They said that officers were called to York station at around 8.45pm on Sunday following reports of an alleged assault.

Barton Town FC chairman Mark Gregory said that the club was “devastated”, describing Hitchcock as a “popular but quiet” member of the first team.

“The news of James’s death has been hard to take in,” said Gregory. “It’s horrible. James was a popular member of the club. We are all devastated. We are a very close-knit club. On behalf of the club, I would like to extend my condolences to James’s family and friends.”

Anthony Bowsley, the club’s first-team manager, had also played with Hitchcock at Bridlington Town. “James was a lovely kid. Just a genuine, all-round good guy. He is irreplaceable both as a friend and a player,” he said.

The Barton Town first team play in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division (step 9) and all of the club’s fixtures have been called off this weekend.

Hitchcock’s former club Bridlington Town also paid tribute: “It is with disbelief that the club has been made aware of the death of our much loved ex-goalkeeper James Hitchcock in tragic circumstances. The word ‘devastated’ does not explain how we as a club feel at this time.

“Hitch will always be on our minds and in our hearts and our deepest condolences and thoughts and prayers go to all the family. Hitch will be remembered before our home game on Boxing Day. RIP Keeps.”