TRIBUTES have been paid to a grassroots football referee and local sports fan, who has died aged 36.

Mark Ward, from Bedale, North Yorkshire, was well known for referring in junior football and school matches for many years, as well as officiating in games in the Black Sheep Hambleton Combination, the Harrogate League, the Wensleydale Creamery League and the Teesside League as well as North Riding Cup matches.

In 2011 Mark became ill with vasculitis, a condition that involves inflammation in the blood vessels. Over the last few years Mark had suffered kidney problems, requiring 15 hours of dialysis every week, which – according to those who knew him – he never complained about.

The former Bedale High School pupil died peacefully of organ failure on December 30 in the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, having spent Christmas Day at home with his mother Margaret and brother David.

His school teacher Martyn Coombs, from Bedale, paid tribute to Mark.

He said: “It became apparent at a very early age that Mark would not become a player so he passed his referees examination when he was 14.

“It took Mark a long time to learn and understand the laws of the game but he became an invaluable servant to local football, especially the Hambleton Combination.’

Mr Coombs said over 20 years of refereeing Mark became very well known and respected. He lived for refereeing and became secretary of the Northallerton and District Referee’s Association and met his refereeing idol Howard Webb at the annual dinner two years ago at the Lodge at Leeming Bar.

Although best known for his commitment to football, Mark was also very committed to other sports. He occasionally playing cricket for Bedale and Spennithorne but he was better known for taking up the position of scorer, a position he carried out meticulously for Bedale Cricket Club for many years.

He was also a keen darts player, playing in several local teams, including as captain of the Scotton Social Club darts team.

Mark and his mother, Margaret, also enjoyed watching motorbike racing and touring cars, being a familiar sight at Oulton Park and the Croft circuit for many years.

As a mark of respect, the entire Black Sheep Brewery Hambleton Combination held a minutes silence before the games on Sunday as did Bedale FC prior to their game at the R&R Ice Cream Stadium against Beckwithshaw on Saturday in the Harrogate League.

Bedale FC have set up a fund in memory of Mark and donations are welcome to Bedale FC, c/o Roker House, 44 Firby Road, Bedale, North Yorkshire, DL8 2BH.

Funds will be donated to Kidney Research UK or a charity of his mother’s choice. The funeral will take place on Monday, January 12 at 2pm at St Gregory’s Church, Bedale and afterwards at the Chantry Hall for light refreshments.