Flag tribute for Lairds stalwart

Cammell Laird are flying their club flag at half mast in tribute to club stalwart Donny Shields who passed away earlier this week.

A popular figure around the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League club for the last 23 years, the Lairds man, pictured, was 68 and single. He was found dead at his nearby home on Monday by police after they were alerted by worried neighbours. Grieving Lairds officials say he had shown no signs of ill health at recent games despite undergoing major heart surgery a few years ago.

Before Tuesday night's 3-2 victory over Radcliffe Borough, the Evo-Stik NPL First Division North club lowered the club flag at the Kirklands Stadium before holding a minute's silence for their volunteer who helped run Wirral Schoolboys and the Birkenhead Youth club, refereeing hundreds of games, before moving to the Lairds in the late 1980s.

Lairds Secretary Toddy Wood said Mr Shields would be sorely missed, especially on match days when he organised everything from arrangements for match officials to mopping out the changing rooms and ensuring the terraces were clear and ready for their next fixture.

The Lairds Secretary said: "He was a true gent and will be greatly missed by us all and many others. Most referees will also remember the banter they had with Donny! He was always first there and last to leave the ground on match days, looking after the match officials in their changing rooms, pre match, half time and full time.

"Donny also attended the ground most days of the week, again cleaning the terraces, helping others to fix anything required or helping to cut the perimeter grass around the ground. He will also be missed on a Saturday night in the bar of the club where he and I stayed until his regular taxi called at midnight for him.

"I will have no one to blame for keeping me out now but more seriously, like many others at the club and in the community, I'll always remember Donny fondly and he'll be missed by many."

Cammell Laird say they will release details of the funeral when known.