THE son of former Huddersfield Town star Dale Tempest was one of three teenagers killed in a road smash.

Michael Tempest, 16, was killed along with two friends, also aged 16, in the accident in Wetherby on Friday evening as they travelled home from a restaurant.

His father Dale played for Fulham, Huddersfield Town, Gillingham and Colchester United.

He is now the PR director for Sky Sports offshoot SkyBet, based in nearby Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and regularly appears on screen and in newspapers to give tips to punters.

He is a former Examiner betting tipster.

Tempest joined Town in August 1984 from Fulham and made 72 appearances for the club before leaving in July 1986.

He later returned to the club as media manager.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, yesterday paid an emotional tribute to Michael, who lived with his family in a large detached house in Wetherby.

She said: "He was a great neighbour, such a lovely, lovely young boy.

"He was in a band and they were quite successful. He used to practise in the garage on his drums and we would enjoy hearing him play.

"His mum was so proud of him. He was a lovely and handsome young boy. It is such a waste of a life."

Michael, known to friends as Tempo, and pals, Thomas Dunn and Oliver Cross, died on Friday night when their red Ford Escort collided with a Renault Kangoo.

The driver of the Escort, a 17-year-old believed to be called James, suffered "serious" injuries and was being treated at York Hospital.

All four had just started sixth form at St Aidan's School in Harrogate.

Yesterday afternoon, the families of the three dead boys were taken to the scene of the crash, on the A58 between Wetherby and Collingham.

Police cordoned off the road as they escorted the grieving families, who laid flowers and viewed the debris-strewn site where their boys lost their lives.

The family of Oliver Cross left a card describing him as a "truly perfect son, brother and best friend."

St Aidan's headteacher Dennis Richards left a card saying that he and staff were "devastated at this loss."

All four teenagers played for their local football team, Wetherby Athletic, and chairman Mark Baker paid tribute to them.

He said: "Three of the lads played for the under-17s team and had been involved since a very young age.

"James was too old to play for the team as he had just turned 17, but he was still involved in coaching.

"We saw them and the other boys who played for us as the future of the club, and their deaths leave a big hole. It's going to be very hard to carry on without them and we're offering support to the other lads in the team.

"We cancelled all our football matches, both with the adult teams and the youth teams, as a mark of respect. It's a very difficult time for all involved."

The 62-year-old female driver of the Renault, from Durham, suffered a broken leg in the crash.

Her husband, 68, suffered cuts and bruises and both are in Leeds General Infirmary.