The father of Chippenham man Terry Welch who was killed while cycling on Rowden Hill last week has thanked Chippenham Town FC for holding a minute’s silence in his son’s memory.

A follower of the football club for nearly 30 years David Welch was surprised to hear his son’s name over the loud speakers on Saturday before players and fans stood for a minute’s silence.

He said: “No one had told me so it was a surprise when his name came up.

“To have 400 people and all the players standing there in silence was very impressive.

“It was quite moving.

“When I told the rest of the family about it they said it was a marvellous gesture.”

Chippenham Town Football Club director, Chris Blake, organised the minute silence at the home again against Bashley.

He said: “I had been away on holiday and I came home on the Saturday and one of the stewards told me that he (Terry Welch) had died and his father is a supporter of the club.

“So in view of that it was decided we would do a minute silence in his memory.”

Mr Welch, 43, of Moorlands in Chippenham died on January 7 while cycling into town on Rowden Hill.

His funeral will take place tomorrow at Semington Crematorium at 10.45am.

His father said: “Terry’s brother Tim and sister, Sue, were closest to him and are doing most of the organising.

“Terry generally kept himself to himself but he was interested in model airplanes and World War Two aircraft.

“Reading about the Second World War was one of his main hobbies.”

He added: “He wasn’t working but had a bike and used it for most of his travel around Chippenham.”

Mr Welch went to Frogwell Primary School and then Hardenuish for his secondary education.

A regular darts player Mr Welch was a keen supporter of Liverpool FC and followed boxing, staying up late to watch the bouts live in America.

His sister Sue Fraser who helped plan the funeral said: “At his funeral we’re going to sing some of the songs he used to enjoy including You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers.

“Terry was a big fan of the Rat Pack and we’ll be singing Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra.

“We wanted to create a funeral that really reflected Terry and his love of flight.”