Very sad news. All I will say (speaking from personal experience) is that it is probably a blessing both for the great man and his family in light of the cursed affliction of dementia. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Where on earth do you start when endeavouring to pay tribute to the gargantuan contribution that he made to Altrincham FC, both on and off the field?
I recall the arrival of this colossus at Moss Lane in late November 1977. Merely five months later, he captained the Robins and scored a goal in that memorable victory in the FA Trophy Final. Those of us who were privileged to be in attendance at Wembley on that April afternoon will never forget his spontaneous goal celebration of ripping off his shirt and then joyously waving it above his head. Several hours (and pints in The Moss) later, my friend's father could be witnessed re-enacting that very incident in the front garden of a house in Hale, much to his dear wife's general bewilderment!
So many marvellous memories ensued, including his famous tussle with Ossie Ardiles at White Hart Lane in 1979; Joe Neenan's legendary right knee in 1980 and then guiding the club to a second FA Trophy triumph in 1986 (I believe that he became the first man to have both played for and managed an FA Trophy-winning team).
Onwards to that dazzling and fondly-remembered side of 1990/91; another contest with Spurs in 1995 and then, just a few months later, his pivotal role in securing the club's future after the abrupt exit of John Maunders.
The ultimate midfield competitor/hardman/enforcer (take your pick of epithet) but, as Alty Tunnel Steward rightly states earlier in this thread, the man could certainly play and his sweet left foot was often overlooked owing to the intimidating aura that surrounded him.
A towering figure in the Non League sphere and a truly one-of-a-kind character. The reminiscences and anecdotes at his funeral should be priceless.
Someone should have tapped into his career and memories and written a book about his exploits long ago. Perhaps a special one-off
Robins Review could be compiled and produced in his honour?
Let's win the FA Trophy as a fitting tribute to him and his legacy.
He remains immortal in my mind, dominating the pitch in those red-and-white stripes.
"O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning."
