Players and staff at Carlton Town have been left devastated after the sudden death of their club secretary.
Paul Shelton, 60, died over the weekend after a recent illness.
He had been involved with the club for over 40 years.
Mr Shelton recently had a brief spell in hospital, but had returned home and was hoping to return to his post at Stoke Lane next month.
The sad news was relayed to Carlton officials on Monday morning after a phone call from his devastated sister.
Chairman Mick Garton said the club were “devastated by the news”.
He said: “I have been Chairman for 17 years and Paul as been by my side throughout that time as secretary at the club.
“He was brilliant at his job and cared deeply for the club, often putting his own money in to help pay towards the outgoings.
“Paul worked for the love of the club, never taking out, always putting in and was an invaluable member of our team and not having him around is going to be so strange and equally difficult for so many of us”
“Our thoughts at the moment are obviously with his family but I would just like to thank everyone who as been in touch with me and others at the club today including former managers Tommy Brookbanks and Les Mcjannet who both worked with Paul for many years and held him in such high regard”.
He added: “It has been a sad day indeed and the place will never quite be the same without him; we will miss him so much”
