LOCAL hero Jim Bradley has sadly passed away - but the fact he touched so many people's lives will ensure his memory lives on.

Jim Bradley was a true gentleman - straight out the old school. His never-say-no attitude, his youthful exuberance, his thoroughly enjoyable enthusiasm for life, and for football, at the age of 80-plus was just inspiring - even if he did support Charlton Athletic!

Jim, of Brockwell Close, Newton Aycliffe, was known by many people as the chirpy pools collector, and the other half of the town as the enthusiastic and dedicated football fan! He died suddenly at the age of 89 recently.

But his long and eventful life was celebrated in typical fashion at his departing, humanist service on Tuesday November 19 at Darlington Crematorium.

Pictured in many people's minds right now will be Jim's unforgettable smile - a cheeky, ear-to-ear grin that lit his face.

And that's how everyone from Newton Aycliffe Sunday FC - the Sports Club - will remember him.

Speaking on behalf of the club, Craig Murray said: "The amount of times he was there for us was testament to the friendship he had with so many people. He stuck by us through thick and thin - he was just a very well-liked person and he is greatly missed.

"But we gave him a very good send off and, again, the number of people who turned up for his service was testament to how people knew and loved him. But we all remember Jim with a smile on our face - his favourite and infamous cathchphrases, most of which are unprintable, will go down in history!"

Jim leaves behind son Roger and granddaughter Kate - and a long line of extremely close friends.

Originally from London, Jim moved to the North-East in the 1980s to be nearer Roger and Kate. Soon afterwards, he took on a football pools round and became a good friend and counsellor to many.

After his wife Marjorie died in 1995, he became involved with Newton Aycliffe Sunday FC, run by his son Roger and manager Brian Scaife, and never missed a game in all weathers for more than six years, until recently, when through ill-health he couldn't.

"His support and fund-raising for the club was absolutely legendary," said Roger. "As was his half-time coffee, which was often laced with a drop of brandy!

"His enthusiasm for the team was immense, so much so that he would often stray over the line and on to the pitch. On a couple of occasions, he was pole-axed by players competing for a ball!"

Jim was a true legend. A gentleman and a good friend to many, many people. He did everything in the typical, up-most respect manner you would expect from the so-called 'old fashioned gent'.

But then, that was just Jim...