TRIBUTES have been paid to former Wiltshire Football League president and former secretary Pete Ackrill, 66, after he collapsed and died in the gym on Thursday.

Ackrill, of Dallas Avenue, Swindon, had been secretary since 1981 but handed over to Jim Thorne last summer when he became preseident.

Wiltshire FA chairnan Mike Benson. said: "I worked with Pete for 35 years. He started me off in football administration when I became Wiltshire League referees secretary for ten years before going to the FA.

"He was a good friend. I can honestly say we never had a cross word, he was a great fellow to work with and he will be sadly missed by the league and football generally at all levels. It was a great shock."

Ackrill was also registration secretary for the Swindon Sunday League for many years and league chairman John Hook said: "He was a brilliant man. We worked together for many years, it is a great loss to local football."

Marlborough Town FC secretary Dennis Cripps said: "Pete was one of the straightest people I have known, a great character and honest man. I thought highly of him.

"Lots of people sought advice from him and he treated everybody fairly. I was very sorry to hear of his death, he deserved many more years as president of the league."

League fchairman Dennis Kilford said: "He was a founder member of the league, joining in 1976 as registration secretary. In 1981 he became general secretary, a post he filled with dedication and distinction, his efficiency in guiding the league to its present position gained him respect not only in this county but in many other counties as well as the Football Association.

"The smooth running of the league was down to him and he was always ready to give advice to officers and members clubs alike.

"When he retired last season from secretary he became president, a position he thoroughly deserved for all the hard work he had done for the league over 27 years. He was at last able to relax and enjoy his retirement still retaining an interest in the league.

"Sadly, it has come to a premature end, we all feel we have not only lost a football colleague but a very dear friend."

A well-respected match official in the area he qualified as a referee in 1957 and was appointed to the Football League's linesmen's list until retirement in 1979.

He officiated at all the local cup finals and the highlight of his career was when he was appointed to the European Champion Clubs Cup tie between Malmo FC Sweden and Dynamo Kiev in 1978.

All Wiltshire league games observed a minute's silence before Saturday's games. His funeral will take place tomorrow at Kingsdown Crematorium at 2pm.