Coalville Town Football Club have paid tribute to Tony Moore, Ladies Manager, former First Team player and goalkeeper coach, who has passed away at the age of just 52.

Chairman Glyn Rennocks said that Tony coached hundreds of youngsters as part of his work with the Ravens and that his contribution had been 'immense'.

The club issued a statement on their official website on Wednesday.

It explained: "Sadly Tony passed away on Monday 17th August after a short illness in hospital following his fight with cancer and leaves a huge gap in many a heart amongst our football family at Coalville Town."

And the chairman told Coalville Nub News: "We're all devastated to be honest.

"Tony had been involved with the club a lot over the past few years.

"He played for us and he actually worked for me for a number of years as well.

"I've known Tony through football and business as well. I had a great admiration for him.

"But his contribution to the football club has been immense, certainly over the last eight to 10 years.

"He was manager of the Ladies' team which he took on last season I believe, but he was involved with the kids side of the club for a number of years with soccer schools, and so on.

"Tony had so much patience and I always said to him that I don't know how he did it, with all the kids running around like anklebiters, and keeping them under control.

"We're not talking about tens, it's more like hundreds of kids that he's coached and helped develop over the past few years.

"I told him he was brilliant and I just couldn't believe it."

Coalville plan a tribute when they next play at home.

The chairman added: "We're going to open a book of condolence. Because he's obviously well known around the area as well as in the football fraternity."

The club's full tribute, written by Wayne McDermott, features on the Coalville Town website and includes more details about the book of condolence.

It says: "The club will be opening a book of condolence for people to share their memories of Tony and more details will be shared over the next few days.

"We have decided to do this as Tony knew so many people around the football club, Leicestershire and non league football we feel it's a fitting way for people to share the many positive memories of him.

"It's a very difficult time for many of us at the club and we will share a few tears but we will continue coaching and playing football as that's what Tony was about and would want."