The Late John R Roberts 'John Rock'

TRIBUTES have been paid to a stalwart of North Wales football who died at the weekend.

John Roberts of Llangefni, Anglesey, who was Secretary of the Gwynedd Football League, passed away peacefully at Glan Clwyd Hospital on Saturday afternoon.

He had been unwell for some time, but was typically spirited right up to the end, said his friend and long-standing football colleague Alun Foulkes, General Secretary of the North Wales Coast FA.

"I'd known John for over 20 years and he was a popular and well-respected stalwart across the football community of North Wales," said Foulkes.

"He was known as John Rock, because of the part of Llangefni where he lived, Pencraig.

"He was in his second stint as Gwynedd League secretary and had previously been Anglesey League secretary for nearly 20 years and Secretary of the Anglesey Junior League before that.

"John also had a long-standing involvement with Llangefni Town, where he held many roles over 40 years."

Bangor City secretary Gwynfor Jones was a friend of John's for over 30 years.

"I'd known him since I was about 15," said Jones. "I showed an interest in becoming a referee at the time and he was the one who really pushed and encouraged me.

"John was one of the game's gentlemen, a very popular figure.

"It's such a shame one of the good guys has left us. I used to be his postman in Llangefni and I remember him telling me a few months ago that I was the only postman who used to deliver his letters before he left for work."

Well-known Holyhead football figure Jeff Scott added: "John was a top bloke who helped me a lot when I was secretary of Holyhead Mountain Rangers in the Anglesey League many years ago.

"His mum was quite a character and always gave a great welcome when I went to his home in Pencraig, Llangefni."

The funeral will be held in Llangefni on Tuesday morning, 11th February 2014 at 11:00am followed by cremation at Bangor at 1:30pm.

John is pictured (middle)along with J O Hughes and Trefor Lloyd Hughes, current President of the FAW following the presentation of his FAW Life Time Achievement Award to football at Llangefni Town.