THE last member of an FA Amateur Cup winning team has died at the age of 91.

Jack Snowdon, who was nicknamed “spider man” because of his antics as goalkeeper, died on Easter Sunday.

Mr Snowdon played for Willington Football Club in the 1950 FA Amateur Cup final against fellow Northern League side Bishop Auckland.

He was famed for keeping a clean sheet in the match, which was played in front of 88,000 fans at Wembley and was unexpectedly won by Willington 4-0.

John Phelan, from the Durham Amateur Football Trust [DAFT] said: “Bishop Auckland were the hot favourites for that match but they just couldn’t score against him. Because he was so tall and he had such long arms and legs they nicknamed him the spider man.

“I knew him quite well. He was a gentleman and very well spoken.”

Mr Snowdon was born in Willington on Christmas Day 1924 and lived in the town most of his life.

In 1943, aged 18 he was conscripted into the army and joined the 704th Artisan Works Company of the Royal Engineers, helping build bridges and clear mines during spells in France, Holland and Belgium.

After the war, he married his wife Dorothy, who died two years ago. He had several jobs, including working as Wear Valley's chief planning officer until his retirement in 1980.

His football career began with Wolsingham before moving to Willington. After being part of the FA Cup winning team, he moved to Crook and later played for Bishop Auckland.

He was playing for Bishop Auckland when he was called up for an amateur match for England, which he was unable to play because of a broken knee.

In later life he was president and vice chairman of Willington FC and also provided a large amount of memorabilia to the Durham Amateur Football Trust [DAFT] when it was set-up, including his winner’s medal from the 1950 cup final.

Family member Stewart Smith said: “He was a bit of a family legend, both for his football and for his career. When we were driving around he would always point out a road he had planned or a house he designed.

“He was a real character and everyone loved him. He was known to one and all as a kind man.”

Pam Burrell, his niece, added: “He was lovely and very caring. He was like a father figure for me and he was a real gentleman.”

The funeral will take place at St Stephen’s Church in Willington at 1.15pm on April 12, which will be followed by a service at Durham Crematorium.