A CARTERTON man who was heavily involved in youth football in the town has died aged 72.

David Waldron, left, was manager of Carterton Crusaders FC and other junior and senior teams during the 1970s and 80s.

His son – also called David, but known as Dave – said his father had loved football ever since he was a child and would be sorely missed.

Mr Waldron was born on October 13, 1938, and was brought up in Southrop, near Lechlade.

After finishing school, he joined the Royal Artillery and served in Malaysia in the late 1950s and early 60s.

Upon returning home, he worked as a carpenter, travelling between building sites with his young family. He settled in Carterton in 1967.

But, after a downturn in carpentry trade, he began work installing ceiling fixings, which he did until his retirement.

His worked included installations in Carterton Community College and the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

But football was his great love.

He first got involved in Carterton youth football in 1977, when he formed an under-12s team called Carterton Crusaders FC.

He had noticed that a lot of youngsters in the area were not playing football and decided to do something about it.

Later, Mr Waldron helped form an under-nines and an under-16s team and managed the Witney and District men’s team and the boys’ 12-to-16 team.

In the 1980s, he became manager of the Carterton Football Club men’s team.

His son added: “He was mad about sport, especially football.

“He supported Arsenal because they are known as the Gunners and that is what he was in the army.”

He added: “I will remember him as a strong and fit man.

“He was always strong and fit, right up until the last couple of weeks of his life.

“I am going to miss him like hell.

“In a lot of ways, he was what I wanted to grow up to be.”

Mr Waldron died suddenly on June 14, aged 72.

He leaves his sons Dave, 45, Gary, 43, and James, 41.