MICHAEL Edwin Raines, who was offered a professional contract to play in goal for Southampton FC at the age of 40, died on August 29 at the age of 69.

He was born in Trowbridge on April 13, 1947, but grew up in Holt and had one brother, Patrick.

At the age of 15, he began what would prove to be a 51-year career working at J&T Beaven in Holt.

Here, according to his wife Chris Raines (nee Bowden), he started off cleaning the colonel’s shoes before working his way up the company in various roles.

“He enjoyed his job very much, otherwise he would not have stayed there for more than half a century,” said Mrs Raines.

Mr Raines, who had three children, Leanne, Stewart and Caroline, was well known around Trowbridge and the surrounding areas for his talent as a goalkeeper.

Such was his pedigree, Southampton FC wanted to sign him but he turned them down, saying he was too old.

In 2004, he began dating the then Ms Bowden. The couple married a year later and settled in Calne.

“A tree had fallen through the roof at the registry office in Devizes so we had the wedding in the mayor’s parlour instead,” said Mrs Raines.

Outside of football, he had a love of model railways, photography, gardening and holidays along the western Isles of Scotland – a place the couple considered moving to, such was there love of the country.

Mrs Raines said that he was a very kind and popular man and together they shared a wicked sense of humour.

They looked after two cats and a dog and were very fond of dancing in the kitchen together.

“He never said anything horrible about people and was very considerate to others,” she added.