Tributes paid to Crothers

TRIBUTES have been pouring in after the death of one of local football's most loyal ambassadors, Jim Crothers, at the age of 80.

Keith Dennis, fixtures secretary of the D and J Builders (North West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League, said: "Jim was the perfect gentleman and one of the best sponge-men in the game.

"He was secretary of Halfway House FC for a time and carried out his assistant duties with the league's representative team and Freehold FC to great effect."

Former league secretary Tony Seel said: "Jim was a cog in a fine engine and he will be truly missed in amateur football."

Karl Johnson, a former league official and a close friend of Jim's said: "He was a true gentleman of the football world."

Jim won the league's John Tibbett Memorial Trophy in 2001 for services to local football.

He is survived by his wife, Jean and children Harry, John and Carole.

The funeral will take place at St Paul's Church, Royton, on Thursday (2pm), followed by committal at Oldham crematorium at 3pm.