THE Blackburn Sunday League will pay a ‘fitting tribute’ to former secretary John Haydock who sadly passed away last week.

The league is hoping that some form of permanent fixture will be put up in his memory at Pleasington Playing Fields changing rooms, John’s ‘home from home’ for the last 45 years.

“Obviously it is something we are going to have to speak to the council about as it is there property but it is something we would like to do,” said Bill Maynard, the league’s fixtures and results secretary.

“As a committee, it is something we have already spoken about and we would dearly like to have a fitting tribute in John’s honour, whether it is a plaque at Pleasington or something else.”

Maynard said that John was Blackburn Sunday League through and through and it was his great passion.

He became involved with the league from virtually when the league was founded in 1970. He was the Secretary for Guide FC for 10 years and the team was one of the founder members, John became the leagues fixture secretary this was a position he was to hold for 40 years.

He became president of the league in 2011 for 12 moths before becoming a life member a year later.

He was also honoured by the Lancashire FA in 2001 when he received the 30 year order of merit award.

“He was my mentor and everything I do at the league now, I picked up and learnt from John,” added Maynard.

“His organisational skills and work ethic is something that, as a league, we have carried on.

“Thanks to him the league is recognised as one of the best organised in Lancashire.

“He was the driving force of the Blackburn Sunday League.

“It is our presentation evening on Thursday and this is usually a time to celebrate the success of teams and individuals from that season.

“But this year it will be tinged with sadness as we will all have John in our minds.”