A stalwart of Keighley and Worth Valley football has died at the age of 63.

Glyn Smith, who lived in Haworth, died in hospital last Thursday after a short illness.

The former Haworth Foot-ball Club player was married with three sons and a daughter, and had worked as an upholsterer.

His widow, Pauline, said he had been a good husband and father, who had been passionate about football. Stanbury resident Paul Brearey, who knew Mr Smith for 30 years, said: “He loved his football, liked to socialise and was very well known and liked in the community.”

Mr Brearey, a former first team manager of Oxenhope Football Club, said Mr Smith had been a talented player for Haworth, who later went on to the coach the club’s juniors.

After the club folded, he moved on to Keighley Lifts then Bronte Wanderers.

Mr Brearey added: “He liked the challenge of bringing on a lot of the younger players. He was very successful and won a lot of trophies as a second team manager.

“He was famous for his match reports. He always put a lot of detail and expression into them. He was a proper football man, with a lot of knowledge about the game.”

During his many years of involvement with football, Mr Smith also served as a referee, trainer, assistant manager and manager.

He was a contributor to the Keighley Kicks football website, which has received many moving tributes to him since his death.

One poster, Brian Booth, wrote: “Glyn was an ex-Haworth team-mate of mine and his commitment and passion for the game he loved was phenomenal. He was a referee for a while and always ready to help out.

“He was a true gentleman, who will be missed by many people who probably didn’t even know they knew him.”

Mr Smith’s funeral takes place at 1pm on May 23 at Oakworth Crematorium. All who knew him are welcome to attend.

The service will be followed by gatherings at West Lane Baptist Church in Haworth and in the nearby Sun Pub from 3pm that day.