ARRANGEMENTS have been made for the funeral of former Warrington Town chairman Bob Smith.

The service will take place at All Saints Church, All Saints Drive, Thelwall, on Monday, January 12, at 11.15am.

Town will also be paying last respects to their former chief when Northwich Victoria visit Cantilever Park on New Year's Day, kick off 3pm.

Bob, who lived in Thelwall, died, aged 78, in Liverpool’s Broad Green Hospital on Christmas Day after a short illness.

He was in charge of the Yellows during one of the club's most successful periods.

Bob, who worked at Shell Stanlow as a chemical engineer, was chairman when Town reached the FA Vase Final at Wembley in 1987 and during their FA Trophy run to the quarter finals in 1992-93.

There was league success at that time too, finishing runners-up of North West Counties League Division Two in 1986-87 and champions of Division One in 1990 as Town earned their passage to Northern Premier League Division One.

And Bob, a former football, cricket and rugby union player who had been involved with Town since the 1970s, oversaw many ground improvements at Cantilever Park during his time at the helm.

Bob had a wide interest in the local football scene.

He was the author of a book published in 1996 charting the history of the Warrington and District Football League, naming it A Century of Football in Warrington.

His own playing career went into his early 30s, concluding with six years at Headingley RUFC after spells at both his native Leigh RUFC and with amateur football clubs.

Bob leaves his wife Kirsten, daughter Tina, sons David and Peter, and eight grandchildren.