THE head coach of Everton's youth training academy last night paid tribute to a "fantastically enthusiastic and passionate" man who was loved by staff and scholars.
Everton's youth training centre held a minute's silence and cancelled training after they heard of Cpl Nowak's death.
The lifelong Everton fan helped set up a Royal Marines training programme for the club's youth academy scholars, to help toughen up the young players' "mental stamina".
Neil Dewsnip, head coach at Everton's youth training academy, first met Cpl Nowak two years ago when he visited the Royal Marines' Commando Training Centre, in Devon.
"He was fantastically enthusiastic, and passionate about life and about the Royal Marines, and Everton," he said..
"He was a good footballer so he'd visit us and join in the scholars' training sessions whenever he was home on leave.
"His personal qualities were brilliant. He'll be remembered here incredibly fondly. He gained the lads respect because he was incredibly talented at what he did.
"He held the record for the Marines' endurance course, he was their champion, a really top-class bloke.
"His last visit was September 9 when he came up for the derby match and we got him tickets, and he was made up because we won."
Cpl Nowak's commanding officer emailed Mr Dewsnip on Monday morning to tell him the Marine had been killed in action.
"We were all in shock, we told the staff and the scholars and they were all incredibly hurt.
"We all loved him so much, he was almost like another member of staff."
The club will place a tribute to Cpl Nowak in the programme for this Saturday's game against Bolton Wanderers.
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