Villagers mourn managerial legend

North Ferriby United are mourning the loss of former manager Brian France after he passed away this week.

An iconic figure at the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division leaders, France, pictured, was 73 when he died on Monday and is credited with paving the way for the Villagers' recent successes during his time in charge as manager.

France joined the club in 1995 with the highlight of his time at Church Road coming at the end of the 1999-2000 season when the club won the Northern Counties East League title, the President's Cup and East Riding Senior Cup for a memorable treble.

He was assistant boss when Ferriby lost in the FA Vase final at Wembley in 1997, but he steered the club to their first UniBond Premier Division play-off final in May 2006.

Ferriby chairman Les Hare told the ThisisHullandEastRiding website: "Brian's success was self evident. He is an iconic figure at Ferriby and in the amateur football scene because he knew everybody. He was a bubbly character and everyone at North Ferriby would like to extend their sincere condolences to the France family."

Ferriby captain Paul Foot was brought to the club by France and he is vowing to win the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League title in his late manager's honour.

Ahead of the Villagers' trip to Buxton on Saturday, Foot said: "Winning the league would be the ideal tribute to Brian. He had a big impact in my life after joining Ferriby. He immediately made me captain and that showed he had great belief in me as a player.

"He was a great manager who would go round all the players in the warm-up and have a word with them. He always had time to talk to anyone associated with me and I'll miss Brian. He always made me smile."

France effectively retired from football in 2010 when he suffered a brain injury after a ball hit his face during his time in charge of Scarborough Athletic. A benefit fixture was held in his honour at Bridlington Town's Queensgate ground last year which saw an ex-Tigers squad, spearheaded by Dean Windass, face Scarborough Old Boys.

* The funeral takes place at Halternprice Crematorium, Willerby, HU10 6NS on Thursday 20th December at 2.15pm. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Oncology Ward at Castle Hill Hospital and the Myeloma Cancer Charity.