TRIBUTES have been paid to a stalwart manager of the same football team for more than 65 years.

Allan Feather, who was secretary and manager of Cullingworth Youth Football Club, has died aged 96.

He even watched Cullingworth Youth's 5-2 defeat to Saltaire Rangers Open Aged in the Wharfedale Triangle League Championship on November 10, just days before he died.

Among the tasks that Feather regularly undertook was washing the kit and sweeping out the changing rooms.

During his lengthy spell in charge of the club Allan had two members of his own family who played under him; his son Mel Feather and his grandson Paul Hart.

His son-in-law, David Hart, says his family have received a number of messages of condolences from people across the UK.

He said: "We have had messages from all over.

"Everyone in the village of Cullingworth knew him.

"He sent a match report into the Keighley News every week. Up to his last years he was completely dedicated.

"In his younger days he even played for them. He would make up the team if they were short.

"He was a Leeds United fans. He didn't go, he used to watch the matches on the telly.

"He was very vocal on the touchline. He always gave them a lot of encouragement. You could hear him from all over Cullingworth when he was on the sidelines.

"He was very involved in all aspects of it really.

"The Sunday before he died he was at the Cullingworth Youth match. He had heart trouble for quite a few years, but it was sudden when he died.

"He was having to take a back seat over the last couple of years. He ran it with Daniel Ratcliffe.

"He was a proper football man.

"They were going to have a minute's silence for him at Cullingworth Youth's game last Sunday but the match was postponed."

The long-serving official was honoured in January 2018 at a meeting of the Wharfedale Triangle League. Allan, who was then 94, received a clock for his services to amateur football.

In October 2008 he collected an honour for his long service to the game.

He was presented with a certificate of merit for his contribution to the community from Shipley MP Philip Davies.

Allan, then 85, was recognised for his work as secretary of the Cullingworth Sports Club and secretary of the Keighley and Aire Valley Sunday Alliance Football League.

The accolade was also honoured for his service he is already a life member of the league and the Keighley & District Football Association.

Allan's funeral will be held on Thursday, November 28, from 11am at St John's Church, Cullingworth.