LUDLOW'S football community has been paying tribute to Bob Leech who has died after losing his battle with prostate cancer.

The 69-year-old, along with his wife Madeleine, took over the bar at Ludlow Stadium 18 months ago but his links with football stretch back to his playing days when he turned out for teams including Onibury, MEB, Leintwardine and Corvedale.

He then went on to manage the successful Globe Sunday side, Ludlow Under-18s and Ludlow Town Reserves.

Son Christian now manages the reserves and his other son Dominic played for both the under-18s and reserves.

Off the field, Bob was behind the move from the Riddings to the new ground at Bromfield Road, working as project manager.

He created a soccer school at Ludlow School and it was there that he forged a friendship with former Manchester United defender Arthur Albiston who arranged for a Man United Legends side to play a team from Ludlow and also a Liverpool Legends side down at the new ground in a game which raised quite a bit of money for the football club.

Friend Mark Evans worked alongside him at Ludlow Colts and reserves and said he will be greatly missed.

“They didn’t make many like Bob – he was certainly a one-off,” he explained.

“He did such a lot for local football and junior football and was always looking to organise things.

"He was brilliant when it came to fundraising.

“He took no prisoners and spoke his mind, but you always knew where you stood with him.

"He was a great friend to me and many others.”

Bob's funeral takes place tomorrow (Friday) at 2pm at St Laurence’s Church, followed by a celebration at Ludlow Football Club.