WARM tributes have been paid to a 'gentleman' who had a massive impact in Yate football.
Iain Prior, who was the former club secretary of Yate Town, died on Sunday, March 31 with pancreatic cancer at the age of 58, two days short of his birthday.
Mr Prior - who served in the Royal Navy for many years and more recently worked for the Ministry of Defence - is survived by his wife Alison, children Alex, Aiden and Kirsten and young grandson Rory.
In addition to football, he took a keen interest in other sports, particularly rugby union and cricket.
Mr Prior, who was club secretary of St Nicholas FC in Chipping Sodbury before joining Yate Town in the same role, has been described by members of both clubs as being 'efficient, much-valued, hard working, determined and passionate.'
"Iain was already known as a very efficient secretary at St. Nicholas F.C. when he accepted the invitation to become our secretary in June 2018, succeeding Terry Tansley in this role.
"Our club quickly became even more aware of Iain’s quiet efficiency and attention to detail and he soon became an integral and much valued administrator of Yate Town.
"His first season as secretary was marked by promotion to the Premier Division and the necessity to organise two play-off matches at very short notice.
"The subsequent two seasons saw the impact of Covid decimate normal life, and increased Iain’s workload even more, but every obstacle was overcome with minimum fuss and typical Navy efficiency.
"Iain bore his illness with typical quiet dignity, but was forced to hand over his responsibilities to John Herbert in February 2023, although he continued to take great interest in our fortunes.
Andy Paget from St Nicholas FC said: "Iain was a former manager of youth teams for many years, also overseeing our hugely successful boy’s development squad, working with new managers, many of whom are still involved in the club today.
"He then inevitably became involved in the running of the club and became our club secretary from 2012 to 2018, while at the same time helping manage our very successful ladies’ team.
"He was absolutely fundamental during his tenure as secretary to ensuring the club remained compliant and moved forward – the club would not be as successful as we are today without Iain’s drive, hard work, determination and most of all his passion for the football club.
"Iain wasn’t about club rewards, but the fact he won numerous club awards shows how the club at the time recognised his dedication and all-round commitment.
"The club owes him a great deal, and already have plans in place to ensure his memory lives on, he will be very much missed, a true gentleman and all-round great person."
His funeral will be held at The Waterside Chapel, Westerleigh Crematorium on Monday, April 22 at 2pm.
There will also be a toast for Iain at Yate Town FC’s clubhouse following the service to which all his friends are invited.
There will be one minutes applause before Saturday’s game against Cribbs.
At the funeral there will be family flowers only, but his family has set up a JustGiving page to thank St. Peter's Hospice for the care Iain received, and there will also be a collection for the same cause.
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