TRIBUTES have been pouring in for June Willingham who helped make Thackley one of the friendliest clubs in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League.

June, who passed away aged 70 after a long struggle with breast cancer, was part of a formidable double act with husband Stewart, who had two spells as club secretary – from 1970-2007 and 2015-17.

"I wouldn't have been able to do what I did if not for her," said 75-year-old Stewart.

"After I was bamboozled into becoming club secretary in 1970 when they decided that they needed some younger blood – people round the table had an average age of about 72 and I felt all these eyes looking at me – June, who liked football as well, decided to help out.

"She used to go to home and away matches, although latterly it has been dependent on the weather – her last match was at AFC Mansfield on December 2 – but her favourite things were doing the half-time and after-match hospitality.

"At half-time, there were sometimes more people taking hospitality – sandwiches and sweet things – than there were outside watching the match!

"June also liked taking care of after-match hospitality for the teams, but especially for the match officials.

"She would talk to them for ages, and has seen a lot of them come through, such as top referee Martin Atkinson, to the point where they are now on the television."

News of June's death has triggered a rush of activity on social media, with Thackley announcing: "We have had an overwhelming number of kind messages sent to the club since June passed away.

"We have decided to open a book of condolence at the club from Saturday onwards. We will then pass it on to June’s family."

Initially they posted: "It's with great sadness that the club announces the death of June Willingham after a long battle with illness.

"Those who know the club will know that June has been a key part of the club for many years. Our thoughts are with her husband Stewart, children Jen and David and family."

The Northern Counties East League website said: "The management board of the Toolstation NCEL would like to send its deepest condolences to Thackley AFC after it learned of the passing of June Willingham.

"June, along with husband Stewart, was one of the league's most recognisable faces, having been at the Dennyfield club since the 1970s.

"They helped to transform Thackley into a side that has been a permanent fixture in the Premier Division from the competition's inception in 1982 to the present day.

"And they were also part of making Thackley one of the friendliest clubs to visit, with the league always receiving compliments from other teams at their delight of making the trip to Ainsbury Avenue.

"All at the NCEL's thoughts and prayers are with Stewart, their family and friends, and everyone involved at Thackley at this very difficult time."

Phil Woollias summed things up neatly when took over as Thackley AFC chairman in September 2016:

He said: “No-one worked harder that Stewart Willingham and his wife June, who have been the welcoming face of Thackley and have led the way in building a great reputation for the club.

“Stewart and June set the standards that the rest of us have followed. The club is known throughout non-league circles as one of the most hospitable, and when people think of Thackley they immediately think of Stewart and June.”