Champions mourning stalwart's passing

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Curzon Ashton are mourning the loss of long-standing supporter, committee man and volunteer James Clough.

A welder by trade and married with one daughter, the stalwart at the First Division North’s champions, pictured, was 75 when he passed away on Saturday.

Curzon Ashton Secretary Robert Hurst said their late fan and official will be sadly missed by all who knew him at the Tameside club and in their local community.

Hurst said: "Jim was friends with Harry Twamley, Ronnie Capstick and 'Chalky' White from their Hurst Wesleyan days from which Curzon Ashton FC originated. From then up to present day Jim supported the club as a committee member for many years. When not on the committee, he was always down at the ground doing work both at the old stadium and at the new one.

"Never lost for words, Jim was one for a lively debate on any subject and there was many lively debates in the boot room. He was one of the characters on which our club was built and contributed to our DNA. Jim will be sadly missed by all who knew him."