Derry's Mayor pays tribute to Mark Farren following the death of the Brandywell legend

Derry's Mayor has led the tributes to Derry City legend Mark Farren who passed away this morning.

Mark, the club's record goal-scorer, was only 33.

The Donegal man had been battling cancer in recent years.

A huge fundraising campaign was launched to raise money needed to send Mark for specialist treatment in a bid to beat the illness.

However, despite this, Mark, who was from Greencastle in County Donegal, passed away this morning.

His death has devastated fans of the local club.

Derry's Mayor Elisha McCallion expressed her sympathy to the Farren and Holmes family to their loss.

“This is a very sad day for the people of Derry and Donegal.

"Mark was a true gentlemen in every sense of the word.

"He loved sport and was a real ambassador for soccer across the North West.

“I had the honour of hosting a reception for Mark, his wife Terri and his extended family members last year in the Guildhall.

"I was deeply touched by their resilience and determination to do all they could to help Mark battle against his illness and at the positive way in which they coped. The support from the public for Mark was truly phenomenal, everyone got behind him and the efforts he and his family made to battle against his illness.

"He will be greatly missed and my thought and prayers go out to his wife, Terri , his parents Michael and Kathleen, his sisters Bridget and Katrina, brother Philip and wider Farren and Holmes families in Derry and Greencastle on their sad loss. Rest in peace Mark,” she added.

Among those to also pay tribute was Mark's former team-mate Barry Molloy.

Barry wrote on his Facebook page: "Heaven has just gained an absolute legend and more importantly a true gentleman. Never forgotten. RIP Mark."

Mark was named the League of Ireland players' player of the year in 2005 and went on to become Derry's record goal-scorer in 2012.

He was initially diagnosed with a benign brain tumour in December 2008 but continued to play on for Derry City until October 2009.

Mark's funeral arrangements are expected to be announced later.