TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved family man and popular football coach who has died.

Stephen Paul Jackson passed away after an illness on Sunday, April 14, aged 56.

Stephen, from Earlestown, was a well-known figure around Newton-le-Willows and Haydock having managed football teams in the areas for more than three decades.

With a strong passion for football, he enjoyed success over the years winning trophies, and was seen turning out in all weathers.

Also a loving family man, Stephen met wife Denise as a teenager and was a pupil at Rainford High, having lived in Eccleston for a while before moving back to Earlestown.

Among those he leaves behind are wife Denise, and children Sarah, Christopher, Lee, Natasha, Jamie and Jack, as well as his grandchildren.

'He was a real family man and dedicated to his passion'

 

“He was a family man and loved his family, his kids and his grandkids, he loved them to bits,” said Denise.

“He was brilliant, he was my rock, we have been together since the age of 17 and got married at 18.

“Football was his life as well. He would come home wet through and went out in ice and snow.

“You would see him on King George’s field spiking the holes and getting buckets of water out, that’s how dedicated he was.”

Stephen was a very popular and well-known figure in the local football community, having coached teams in Haydock and Newton-le-Willows.

Teams he was involved with over the years included Nine Arches FC, Wargrave Rovers, Trees FC, OCS, New OCS Bold Miners, Haydock Juniors, Vista Boys and Real Haydock.

He enjoyed some great successes, winning an array of trophies over the years.

Highlights included becoming Warrington Sunday Champions with New OCS, being crowned divisional champions with Haydock Juniors and a Chairman’s Cup final with Haydock.

Warrington Guardian: Stephen enjoyed many successes in the local football sceneStephen enjoyed many successes in the local football scene (Image: Submitted)

Stephen was also a huge Manchester United fan, and used to attend matches at Old Trafford and continued to watch matches on TV.

His funeral service will take place at Emmanuel Wargrave Church at 10am on Wednesday, May 8.

Before the service there will be a firework set off in his memory at King George V Field, in Earlestown, with people set to gather from around 9.20am.