The sporting world was left stunned by the sudden death of Ramsbottom United manager Ken Bridge on Tuesday night (Feb 20).

Ken, who was 57 last month, collapsed and died in the dressing room at the end of his team's game in Ramsbottom.

He suffered a heart attack just minutes after watching his side lose 2-1 to Cheadle Town at the town's Riverside ground

Players were left in shock when the tragedy unfolded as the team walked back to the changing room.

Despite attempts to revive him by physio Kath Fitton and other club officials, he was confirmed dead a short time later at Bury General Hospital.

Ken, of Pembroke Drive, Bury, married his wife Kath in 1964. They have a daughter Gillian, and grand-daughter Rachel, aged 19 months. He worked as a stock controller at Sella Office Seating in Bury.

Kath (57) said: "He was devoted to all of us. Even though he spent a lot of time at football, he always found time for his family.

"He was a very caring man, quiet and unassuming. Football was his passion and he liked winning for the team, not just for himself.

"It is reassuring that when he collapsed, he was surrounded by people who knew and cared for him." Kath recalled Ken had taken a keen interest in sport from an early age.

"His father took him down to Radcliffe Cricket Club as a lad and he was a member there for many many years, and whilst he did play cricket, football was his first love."

Ramsbottonm United chairman Harry Williams said: "Ken did so much for the club. He put everything into it, and by doing so probably risked his own health.

"He put the club first before he put himself. The club would not be where it is today without him. He never took a penny out of the club and will be very hard to replace."

Mr Williams added: "He was brilliant to work with. We are a family-type club and when Ken joined us, he built on that, and we have been on the way up ever since."

Friend Harry Howarth, who had known Ken for 47 years, said: "Ken was always a good, true and loyal friend, who would go out of his way to do anything for anyone. We will all be a lot poorer for his passing away."

He added: "Ken first made his name as a goalkeeper and played for many clubs because good goalkeepers were hard to find. People used to come and knock on his door and ask him to play for them, and he'd have his boots ready and waiting."

Ken was a pupil at the old Radcliffe Secondary Modern School where he first demonstrated his sporting prowess as a flying winger.

But he soon became a goalkeeper and it was not long before he played for Radcliffe Borough at their old Bright Street ground.

After a distinguished playing career between the goalposts, Ken first turned his hand to management in 1979 when he took over the running of Radcliffe St Mary's in the Bolton Combination League premier division and British Queen in the Radcliffe and District Sunday League.

He went on to manage Bolton St Thomas's in the early 1980s and joined Radcliffe Boro in the mid-1980s where he was manager and later club general manager. It was during this time that he underwent a successful triple bypass operation.

He took over as joint manager of Ramsbottom United FC in 1994/95 and took full charge the following season for the club's first year at semi-professional level in the North West Counties League.

Under his leadership, he guided the team to cup final success that season, won the division two championship the following year, and saw the side finish third in the first division last year, the club's highest ever position.

Funeral arrangements, which are being handled by Silletts in Radcliffe, have yet to be confirmed.