THE family of a well-respected football coach have spoken of their heartbreak following his death.

FC Queens Park manager Martin Ford was found dead on Monday aged 39 just hours before his side was due to play its final Huws Gray Alliance fixture of the season against Penrhyncoch.

His mother Sharon Harrison, 55, said: "It's just heartbreaking. He was my baby and now he's gone."

The former pupil of Ysgol Hafod y Wern and St David's School helped form the club in 2013 alongside the late Darren "Coco" Roberts.

The club enjoyed a meteoric rise under his guidance, starting at the bottom of the Welsh football pyramid and achieving three promotions in four years.

Mr Ford, who grew up on Deva Way, Caia Park, also formed a youth team to give youngsters the chance of progressing to senior football and staying out of trouble.

Mr Ford - who also studied part-time at Glyndwr University - is survived by his wife Kelly Ford, 36, and daughter Summer, three, as well as father Paul Ford and stepmother Tracy.

His wife, Kelly, who lived with Mr Ford at Rose Grove, Wrexham, said: "I am in shock, never did I think that I would be mourning my best friend/husband/love of my life. He was the most selfless, caring, loyal man I've ever known.

"He had an absolute heart of gold, me and our daughter Summer will never forget him ever. Summer will be reminded of what a inspirational person his was, always wanting to help people on in our community and his passion for the football was second to none, he loved it."

She added: "Martin wanted the world for me and Summer. He has been taken far too soon and I will never ever get over this, it's ripped a hole in my and all our family’s hearts; a hole that will never be filled. He’s my and Summer's world - I’m heartbroken."

He is also survived by brothers Ryan and Shane Ford, sisters Susan Capper, Naomi Harrison and Rebecca Ford and grandmother Delia Douglas.

Of her son, Mrs Harrison added: "What can I say about him other than he was a brilliant dad, son, brother, husband and son. Everybody loved him.

"His passions were football, the community and his daughter - he loved his daughter."

The Leader reported yesterday how a wealth of tributes had been paid to Mr Ford from the region's footballing community.

Wrexham AFC, Coedpoeth United and Brickfield Rangers were among those to share their condolences with Mr Ford's family.

Maesgwyn Associated FC held a minute's silence before their fixture with Cefn Mawr Rangers.

Friends and family will pay tribute to Mr Ford at 6pm today by releasing balloons at the Dunks, the club's former home and where it is set to return after relegation from the Huws Gray Alliance.

A collection for Mr Ford's family has been set up at www.gofundme.com/martin-ford-legend.