CIRENCESTER TOWN chairman Steve Abbley led the tributes to his former club secretary Jim Saunders who died on Friday.

Saunders, who stepped down from the town club in the 2006/7 season, also acted in a similar capacity at South Cerney FC and held many roles in the Cirencester & District League including chairman, secretary and vice president.

“Jim was a real club man who always stepped into the breach in times of crisis,” said Abbley. “But we also had success together. We won the treble (Hellenic League Premier, the Hellenic Challenge Cup and the GFA Trophy) in 1995/96 and Jim helped guide us into the Southern League.

“Jim was a safe pair of hands and someone who on many occasions prevented me from throttling referees.”

Current first team boss Brian Hughes added: “Jim was my football secretary in the last year at the old ground and the first few seasons at the Corinium.

“He was a Cirencester football man through and through and a very good secretary. On top of that, he was a really nice man and I had a lot of time for him. His passing is a real shame.”

Local referee and stalwart of both the now defunct Cirencester United and Stratton Youth FC, Gordon Varley also remembered Jim fondly.

“During Jim’s time as secretary to the Cirencester Youth League, he was always a considered thinker, while others let problems run away with them.

“Jim always seemed to come up with a correct and fair solution.

“If you had something to discuss with him, he would even make time for you at his place of work.”

Cirencester Town return to league action this weekend after their FA Trophy second qualifying round success at Tonbridge Angels when they travel to Hitchin Town.

On November 28, they host 2014 beaten finalists Gosport Borough of the National League South and their larger-than-life manager Alex Pike in the third qualifying round of the Trophy.