Funeral arrangements released for FA stalwart

Football will pay its final respects to the Football Association's Registrations Secretary Steve Rooke at his funeral on Monday.

Mr Rooke, pictured, lived in Southwick, West Sussex and was 57 when he lost his battle against pancreatic cancer last week. He is survived by his second wife Kathryn, daughter Rachel, son Daniel from his first marriage and grandson Max.

His funeral is taking place at 1.40pm in the Kingswood Chapel of Worthing Crematorium in Findon, West Sussex and will be followed by a reception at the Findon Manor Hotel. To assist with arrangements, FA officials are asking that anyone intending to attend contact them in advance so they can pass on numbers to his family.

Mr Rooke was well known throughout the Non-League game. Prior to his appointment as the FA's Registrations and Sanctions Manager in September 2007, the experienced football administrator was Worthing FC's Secretary before working at Brighton & Hove Albion.

He moved on to become Wimbledon’s Secretary at the start of the Premier League era in 1992 and switched briefly to take the same role at MK Dons before his appointment as the Chief Executive Officer at the Manchester FA.

Family flowers only with donations to St Barnabas Hospice. For more information visit MyFA. To indicate attendance please email: geogia.brownell@thefa.com.