THE brother of Bury FC chairman John Smith has been found dead at their family-run haulage firm.

Mr Allan Smith had become depressed after a series of strokes in December last year left him medically unfit to drive. His body was found hanging from a lorry's crane on Friday evening (June 13).

Mr Smith's brother, John, who is the joint chairman of Bury Football Club, spoke of his family's loss and how Allan's first love was Smiths Haulage of Bury.

John said: "Work and football were Allan's life. When he suffered the strokes in December and was told he could not longer drive, that was when he died. Driving was his true love. No one expected him to do what he did. It is dreadful."

Just hours before his body was discovered by a fellow driver, Allan's family had spoken to their family doctor in an effort to get him psychiatric help for his deep depression.

Born and raised in Bury, Allan left school and started work as an apprentice engineer before completing two years national service with the Northumberland Fusiliers.

He played football for the Army and also played for several local teams, including Elton Fold, before an ankle injury ended what could have been a promising career.

John said: "He was one of the best footballers around."

After leaving the army Allan, of Bolton Road, Bury, returned to his career as an engineer but joined the 118-year-old family haulage firm, Smiths Haulage, as a driver.

"Allan was a quiet, private person who was only happy when he was on the road," said John. "He travelled to every part of the country, driving millions of miles, and was known by all the papermill workers. He was a workaholic and he never had a day off on sick leave. He had no time for getting married or having kids."

Plans are now being put together for Allan's funeral. His coffin will be taken to Accrington Crematorium on the back of a truck. His family said anyone who knew the 65-year-old is welcome to attend the service.

An inquest will be held in the next few months into the tragedy.