A MAN who started a well-known football team in Blackburn has been remembered by his family following his sudden death.

Stephen Lewis, who grew up in the town, has died at the age of 76.

The former Bangor Street School pupil was known to hundreds of people as the founder of the Shadsworth Rangers, a team which had an impressive 62 boys on its books, with several school-age teams.

Mr Lewis, whose parents owned the former Primrose Inn in Harwood Street, had trained as an electrician and worked in the trade for several years before going into haulage, working for big firms such as Gilbraith Logistics Ltd.

However the father-of-three suffered a bad crash while driving.

The incident involved two lorries and a motorbike crashing on the Chorley to Blackburn road at Withnell and he suffered two broken legs and face injuries.

Due to the crash the then 30-year-old lost half a leg.

Mr Lewis and his wife, Margaret, started the football club together in the mid 1980s and Mrs Lewis took their children, Dawn, 55, June, 53, and Jane, 43, morris dancing when they were very young.

Dawn Moore said her mum used to get Mr Lewis involved in lots of activities.

She said: “We got involved with the Blackburn Aces morris dancers and my dad became a big part in it by helping out with the music.

“He would make sure the music was right and he would always help out with making sure we were all there on time.

“He would take part in the carnivals and it would be his car that was used for the parade.”

Mrs Moore said her dad enjoyed model railways and model boats, and regularly went to lakes to sail them.

Mr Lewis was diagnosed with liver cancer three years ago and underwent chemotherapy, however he came off the therapy three weeks ago.

Mrs Moore, whose son Ethan, who had autism, died last year at the age of 25, said: “It was quick, he deteriorated in the last 24 hours.

“He was a fantastic dad and grandad.

“He took my son’s death really hard, as we all did.

“My dad was a well-known, well-loved member of the community and he went out of his way for so many people.

“He loved being part of the Shadsworth Rangers and helping out with the dancing club.

“He was an amazing person and we miss him very much.”