Praise for a local hero.

Tributes have been pouring in following the death of Lincolnshire football manager Richard Mason.

Mr Mason died suddenly of a heart attack on the evening of Sunday, December 27. He was just 47 years old.

His father Clive Mason described Mr Mason as being “devoted” to his family.

“We are devastated at Richard’s sudden death, and never thought we would have to go through this again,” he said.

At the age of 12, Mr Mason joined Nettleham Football Club’s under-13s squad, and stayed with the club for 35 years. As a player, he played for the first team at both Lincolnshire League and Central Midlands League level.

In his later playing days, he was a senior player in the Saturday Colts team, helping younger players through their first experience of senior football.

He took over the role of Sunday first team manager from his father, and led the team to success including League Championship and Cup Final wins, including some on Lincoln City’s Sincil Bank pitch. Then, three years ago, he took up the position of manager of the Saturday first team.

Mr Mason leaves behind a loving family, including his wife Yvette, sons Steve, 26, Stuart, 24, and David, 19, who all play for the club, and a younger daughter, Charlotte, aged 10.

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