Hundreds line streets outside Radcliffe FC football ground after shock death of chairman Paul Hilton

Fans gathered today to pay tribute to a football club's chairman ahead of his funeral.

Hundreds of supporters of Radcliffe FC - and residents in the community he worked tirelessly to promote - turned out to pay tribute to Paul Hilton.

The club announced news of the death of its 'beloved' chairman in September, calling him a 'driving force' not just for Radcliffe FC, but for the surrounding community.

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The club's National League North game at home against Buxton on Saturday, September 21, was called off as a mark of respect as the news was confirmed. Clubs and organisations have subsequently posted tributes, with his death marked ahead of kick-offs.

The funeral cortege was driven to the club's ground, the Neuven Stadium in Radcliffe, at 11.30am on Thursday ahead of a private funeral service later this afternoon.

One fan who attended to pay his respects said: "It was a great turn-out. There were many supporters there wearing the club's colours and scarves.

"The coffin was draped in the club's colours of yellow and blue. The chairman's parking bay was adorned in flowers and a Land Rover carrying the coffin parked up in it. There were a few hundred people there easily.

"There was applause and clapping as the cortege left, with many people leaving flowers as a mark of respect at the ground." Fans also held aloft a banner saying 'Paul Hilton, Our Chairman, One Of Our Own' as the cortege passed.

Radcliffe FC formed in 1949 as Radcliffe Borough. The club were promoted into the National League North as champions last season after 37 years in the Northern Premier League, with Mr Hilton credited with transforming its