Devoted football supporter and president of Wiltshire County Football Association Mr Terry Gregory died on January 25, aged 75.

Mr Gregory, of St Margarets Gardens, Melksham, was the manager of Melksham House for 26 years, retiring in 2009.

He previously worked as a maintenance engineer at Avon Rubber in Bath Road and it was during his time there that the chief executive asked him if he would like to become manager of the then Cooper Avon Sports and Social Club.

He lived in Melksham all his life and went to Lowbourne School before training as a building apprentice in Bath.

Football was a huge part of his life and he built up many friendships through it. In his teens he joined the former Melksham Forest FC. He then took up refereeing for the Trowbridge District league and was a referee representative for the Wiltshire FA. He was also president of the Melksham Referee District Society.

He made his way up the ranks in the Wiltshire FA to become president and last year received his Football Association 50 Year Service to Football Award in recognition of his service to the association and grass roots football in Wiltshire.

Malcolm Baldwin worked with Mr Gregory at Wiltshire FA for more than 20 years. He said: “He was brilliant, he would do anything for anybody, and nothing was too much trouble.

“He loved his football, horses and played bowls and he adored his family.”

Mr Gregory was hugely involved in bowls in the town. He was a longstanding member of the Avon Bowls Club before becoming captain and then chairman. When Melksham House closed he joined Broughton Gifford Bowls Club as chairman.

He also committed a lot of time to supporting Beanacre and Melksham Cricket Club and Melksham Town FC.

Dave Phillips, joint president of Melksham Town FC, knew him for more than 50 years, and spoke to him only two days before his death.

He said: “It has come as a complete shock. It’s left a hole in my life and many other people’s. I will treasure his friendship and companionship.

"He was literally Mr Melksham, he had an tremendous knowledge of the town. There couldn’t have been any person in Melksham who didn’t know him.”

Mr Gregory was so knowledgeable and passionate about the town he would regularly give talks to the Melksham and District Historical Association and care homes on its heritage.

He leaves his wife Jan, daughter Fay and Zoe, three grandchildren and brother Sam.

His funeral will take place at 2.30pm on February 12 at West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington.