FORMER Wycombe Wanderers director Gordon Richards has died aged 74, the club announced this morning.

Mr Richards joined the Wanderers board in 1986 and served as director and company secretary until 2001.

The Holmer Green resident also owned D & E Plastics Ltd in Ogilvie Road, High Wycombe and was a past president of the town's rotary club.

He was a life-long Wanderers fan and joined the board when Ivor Beeks became club chairman. He has been described as the "rock" behind Wanderers' rise from non-league football (see link below).

Mr Beeks said: "Wycombe Wanderers owes Gordon a huge debt of gratitude. He was instrumental in the club's transition from membership status and then from our move to the new ground at Adams Park and subsequent promotion to the Football League.

"He was totally dedicated, never missed a meeting, and put in a huge amount of unpaid time and effort on the club's behalf.

"He was also a personal friend and a great guy and I will miss him. I would like to offer my condolences to his family and friends."

Mr Richards died yesterday and leaves his wife Delia, son Ian and daughter Denise. Details of the funeral are yet to be announced.

Former Wanderers manager and chairman Brian Lee said: "This is very sad news. Gordon was a great ambassador for the club and he played a very important role in the changes that took place when we moved to Adams Park. We will all miss him."

Wycombe's players will wear black armbands in his memory for tomorrow's game against Rotherham.

Rod Barber, the current president of High Wycombe Rotary Club, said: "He's a great loss to us. He had been ill for a while but then he was back and playing a full active role in the club... So it's very sad and very sudden."

"Most recently he was responsible for checking on the welfare of other members.

"He was genuinely warm, kind and considerate and was always volunteering for things."