TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Wrexham AFC training officer who died following a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Alun Salisbury died on March 25 at Nightingale House Hospice. He was 73.

His wife of almost 50 years, Hilary Salisbury, told the Leader of his passion for helping others - particularly those learning the ropes as stewards at Wrexham AFC.

Mrs Salisbury, who lives in Marford, said: "He was in the Army for six years, in the Prince of Wales Dragoon Guards, 3rd Carabiniers.

"Then he was a retained fireman at Wrexham Fire Station for nine years.

Hilary and Alun Salisbury

Hilary and Alun Salisbury

"He became a full-time fire steward at Wrexham Football Club and he worked his way up through the ranks to become training officer.

"A book of guidelines was developed for stewards – it was a huge manual and it was intense and full of words.

"But Alun broke it down and made it into modules so it would be more interesting for them.

"Over eight modules, he trained them. Every steward had to complete it before taking their exam and there was a lot of hard work involved, but he made it fun.

"He loved to help people. If they asked him 'can you spare a minute' – he always would.

"He was very well liked."

Alun and Hilary Salisburys wedding

Alun and Hilary Salisbury's wedding

The couple, who have a 47-year-old son named David, were to mark their 50th wedding anniversary on April 17.

Mrs Salisbury, 72, said: "Alun proposed to me on the Kop in 1969.

"We were leaning over the barrier, watching a game of football – I can't remember which. "But he said 'oh, I think it's time we got married.'

"And I said something like ' Ok, yes – as we're winning' or something daft like that. We married in 1971.

"He became a steward in around 1987/88.

"I became one too – but way after Alun. They were looking for more female stewards, so I went to help and I fell in love with it. It was something we both loved to do."

Staff at Wrexham AFC and members of the public turn out to pay respects to Alun Salisbury on the day of his funeral, Thursday (April 8). Images: Alun Roberts

Staff at Wrexham AFC and members of the public turn out to pay respects to Alun Salisbury on the day of his funeral, Thursday (April 8). Images: Alun Roberts

They retired and left the club in 2008, but returned for a few seasons starting in 2015 – leaving again around the time the Covid-19 pandemic started.

Mrs Salisbury said over the past 12 months, her husband "battled courageously" with lung cancer.

"He had excellent care," she said, "In Wrexham Maelor Hospital and Nightingale House Hospice. They were brilliant."

Mr Salisbury's funeral took place on Thursday, April 8 at Pentrebychan Crematorium.

As the procession passed the club, members of staff and those who knew Mr Salisbury lined the road to pay their respects.

Mrs Salisbury said: "It was very emotional to see all of those people there – when the car turned by the university, I just broke down.

"It meant so much that they came to pay their respects."

Staff at Wrexham AFC and members of the public turn out to pay respects to Alun Salisbury on the day of his funeral, Thursday (April 8). Images: Alun Roberts

Staff at Wrexham AFC and members of the public turn out to pay respects to Alun Salisbury on the day of his funeral, Thursday (April 8). Images: Alun Roberts

She added her husband was also passionate about singing, and was part of the Fron Choir which won the male voice choir of the year award at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in July 2018.

He also very much enjoyed travelling.

A spokesman for Wrexham AFC said: "A football club takes so many different people to function and without them all we are nothing, therefore it is with great sadness we acknowledge the passing of another of our own.

"First and foremost, Alun was a Red through and through.

"After watching Wrexham from the Kop since a boy, some 32 years ago he decided to support the club in an even more practical way by becoming a steward and worked back in a familiar position on the Kop.

"Along with his wife Hilary, Alun next served the club by becoming the Steward’s training officer, bringing on the next wave of stewards to work here today.

"Alun lives on through his students and we will all miss him."