TRIBUTES have been paid to a stalwart of the Lancashire ice hockey scene.

Alan Amos, general manager of Blackburn Hawks Ice Hockey Club, died on Wednesday after a short battle with bowel cancer.

The 49-year-old was known throughout the North West for his work in promoting the sport.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Hawks player-head coach Jared Owen said the town had lost “a true gentleman”.

He said: “Alan was one of the most enthusiastic guys I’ve ever met in my time playing hockey. He truly loved the sport and wanted to make the Hawks as successful as he could.

“He constantly was out in the local community, getting new sponsors for the team, getting new people coming along to watch the games and getting kids involved in playing the sport he loved.

“He lived and breathed Blackburn ice hockey and when I spoke to him over the weekend, he was still so focused on us bringing the first league title to Blackburn. He will leave behind a great legacy and will be missed by the players, management and supporters in a huge way.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Mr Amos, of Tresco Close, Blackburn, volunteered at the club, which currently tops the National Ice Hockey League’s North Moralee Conference One table, for more than 15 years.

A statement on behalf of the Hawks squad said: “With every family you need a pulse or heartbeat. Our heart was Mr Alan Amos. Everyone who has been lucky enough to play for the Hawks over the last five or six years will testify this.

“He did everything under the sun to promote the Hawks to the Lancashire community and he did this for free. The look on his face when we left the ice after a win or played our winning song in the room was his reward, which shows you what a great man he was.

“The pride beaming out of Alan when we won our first trophy in 2012, at Billingham was evident for all to see, so we will all keep him close to our hearts as we look to close out this league title. If that moment comes, we will all take a minute and raise our sticks to our departed family member Alan.”

Mr Amos is survived by his wife, Tina, and two children, Steven and Alison. His funeral is due to be held next week.