A MAN who has spent almost 25 years working at Padiham Football Club suffered a stroke on Sunday.

Alan Smith, who is known as Mr Padiham, said he felt unwell at his home before he collapsed and had to be taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital. 

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The father-of-one turned 60 in June and had a number of a roles at the football club including secretary, accountant, groundsman and fundraiser. 

On a Saturday, his usual jobs were washing the kit and collecting money at the gate.

Padiham manager Steve Wilkes said it was a shock to hear the news.

He said: "Whatever needed doing, Alan is always there and unfortunately now other staff are going to have to step up the plate because I don't think he will be back this season.

"It's such a shame as he is a very close friend of mine that I've known for 10 years. It's a real shock."

A familiar face around Padiham and East Lancashire, Mr Smith used to run in the Burnley and Pendle Grand Prix series and has spent a lot of time applying for grants to make the Arbories more scenic