Funeral announced before tribute

The Blues - who have invited fans, players and officials from around the EVO-STIK NPL who knew their late stalwart to join them in a minute's applause at Harrison Park before kicking off against the Tulips - announced details for a public service followed by a private cremation for family and close friends on Monday.

Officials say the service for the popular official and director with the Staffordshire FA will take place at 1.15pm on Tuesday 7 March at Trentham Parish Church in Trentham. Mr Wain's family have requested no flowers but say donations can be made to a charity he was close to, The Douglas Macmillan Hospice.

Involved in football since his childhood and the father of former Leek Town chairman Andy Wain, the former police inspector and season ticket holder at Manchester United is pictured with his son and will be remembered on Tuesday night after passing away suddenly earlier this month aged 71 while on holiday abroad with his family.

In tributes to their late official and player, who played for West Bromwich Albion as a youth before being offered a professional contract by the Baggies, the Blues described the grandfather as their "anchor for the last 15 years".

Mr Wain's family has been steeped in Leek Town's history since the Staffordshire club's foundation in 1946 when his father Lol Wain helped set it up and became their first groundsman. His mother Winnie was a member of the ladies' committee while a great uncle helped to build the first changing rooms at their home.

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