Tributes paid to secretary and lifelong president of Market Drayton Tigers Football Club

Michael Ost, who was a secretary and lifelong president of Market Drayton Tigers Football Club, has died at the age of 79.

Mr Ost, who also supported the town''s cricket club and St Mary's Church, received an FA award for volunteer work for grassroots football at Buckingham Palace in 2013.

Michael was born in Buxton, Derbyshire, on November 13 1937 to Rosa and John Ost.

He became a Latin and classics teacher as well did football and cricket coaching, working for the majority of his career at Perott Hill School in Somerset and then at The Hall School, Hampstead, north London.

He met his wife Anne, who was a nurse, and they married in 1977, had Lucy in 1978 and Charlotte in 1980.

He moved to Hampshire in 1986 and later to Shropshire in 1999, shortly after retiring.

His family said: "He had a busy retirement. He became very involved in the Market Drayton community and made a great many friends through becoming the secretary for the Tigers football club, supporting the cricket club, and he was a sidesman at St Mary's and a member of the pastoral care team for many years.

"He was made lifelong president of the Tigers and received an FA award for volunteer work for grassroots football at Buckingham Palace.

"He was part of a quiz team and coffee club on a Wednesday at the Red Lion. He supported the Samaritans and helped to raise money at the carnival etc.

"He was hardly ever at home before he was ill, very sociable, always busy going to sports fixtures or community events.

"He was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer nearly three years ago. He was very private about his illness but didn't complain and tried his hardest to make the best of it.

"His wish was to stay living at home which he was able to do with wonderful support of his neighbours, friends, family and carers, which I know he very much appreciated and as a family we would like to thank all dads friends that helped him out over the years.

"Dad loved life, could find enjoyment very easily, and was always happiest on a field somewhere in the sunshine, watching football or cricket, preferably with a pint and the paper and someone to chat to about the latest scores.

"Dad was very nearly 80 when he died and was looking forward to having a big party at the Red Lion. He got a lot of pleasure inviting a long list all his family and friends, all of whom said they would come – he was very touched by that."

A private cremation, followed by a service at St Mary's Church, Market Drayton, will take place on Friday.