TRIBUTES have continued to pour in for former Leader photographer Les Evans.

Les, 74, of Coedpoeth, died on Friday morning after suffering from cancer.

A book of condolence has now been opened in the Leader office in High Street, Wrexham, and tributes can also be left on the Leader Facebook page.

Les worked for the Leader for more than three decades and became a well-known character throughout Wrexham.

He also became synonymous with Wrexham FC, travelling up and down the country following the club, and taking action shots loved by Reds fans.

He leaves his wife Sheila and children Gillian and Colin.

Funeral details have yet to be announced but Wrexham FC and Wrexham Supporters Trust are now looking into having a lasting tribute to Les at the Racecourse.

Rick Matthews, NWN Media Ltd chief photographer said: “Farewell Les. What can I say that hasn’t been said? 

“I am blue, Les was red – red through and through, passionate about his club, passionate about his town.

“As a fellow photographer I had great admiration for him and learned from him. 

“His work was not just technically excellent; it was his understanding and empathy with those in front of his lens that made his photographs so good.

“For those that took care to listen, Les was a great mentor, passing on his experience and they would become better photographers because of him.

“I will the miss his phone calls – ‘I’ve got this great picture bud’ or ‘I’ve got I fantastic story, can’t tell you yet but...” and the pictures were great and the stories were fantastic.

“We shared some good times together in the months before Les passed away, reminiscing, putting the world to rights to the strains of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and jazz/folk music by musicians I had never heard of before. 

“I got to find out how loving and supportive Les’s family are. Thank’s for all the tea and cake Sheila, takes a strong woman to put up with Les for all those years!

“Come derby day I will be willing the Blues to victory, but if the Reds do find the back of the net I will hear a cheer and it will make it just a tiny bit less painful.”

Martin Wright, former associate editor with NWN Media Ltd said: “Working with Les was a real privilege.

“He was a photographer of the old school, known by just about everyone in Wrexham and with a knack for producing pictures that told the story. 

“He was also a great character and, through his contacts, provided a constant stream of tip-offs and stories.

“Of course his great love was Wrexham FC and in his 40-odd years of covering the side he captured many of the iconic photographs associated with the club. 

“Les was, however, much more than just the Leader’s Wrexham FC photographer – he was a part of the club, loved and respected by players, staff and of course the fans. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.”

Les Chamberlain, former newsdesk editor, Evening Leader, said: “They used to say there are no characters now in journalism, but Les was a character – a great character. 

“I remember him when he used to provide pictures to the ‘Big Leader’ and pestered chief photographer Tom Hunter to get him a job on the paper.

“When he finally made it, he became probably the best known Press photographer in the Wrexham area. 

“He loved to tell you things he had found out. 

“He would bump into me in town and would say ‘hey, do you want to hear the latest about things at the Leader?’ And he would relate a little bit of news, or was it gossip?

“The last time I was with Les was when he took my picture at The Racecourse when I retired from writing my soccer column.

“A great character and colleague who will be missed tremendously.”

Michael McGivern, North Wales Police Press officer, said: “I worked with Les on the Leader in the early 1990s .

“You couldn’t walk through Wrexham for two minutes without someone stopping him for a chat or calling out his name in greeting from across the street. 

“For journalists and the public alike he was simply an institution.”

In a statement, Glyndwr University paid tribute, describing Les as an “institution” in the town.

The statement said: “We are so sad to hear of the passing of Les Evans. Les was a great friend of the university and something of an institution here in Wrexham. 

“He was a popular character, committed to his beloved Wrexham FC and the town itself. 

“Never ever seen without his camera, flat cap and huge smile, he was a true giant of the community. 

“We will miss him greatly and send our condolences to his family and friends.”

When the Eagles Meadow shopping centre opened in the town in 2008, Les was one of seven people chosen as ‘local heroes’ to feature on giant hoardings there.

They were part of the ‘We Love Wrexham’ campaign honouring “ordinary people with extraordinary qualities”, with the image of Les proving to be one of the most iconic.

Eagles Meadow manager Kevin Critchley said: “We were deeply saddened to hear that Les had passed away. 

“For several years his picture adorned Eagles Meadow on a large billboard after he was chosen as one of our local heroes. 

“He was a likeable, irrepressible and irreplaceable character who was passionate about Wrexham in general and our football club in particular. 

“He will be sadly missed but his memory will live on.”