POPULAR footballing figure Peter Ackrill had a fitting send-off as Wiltshire's soccer community came together to pay their last respects.

As more than 200 mourners poured silently out of Kingsdown Crematorium on Friday, Mr Ackrill's favourite theme tune Match of the Day could be heard loud and clear.

Mr Ackrill died last month, leaving behind his partner Grace and two daughters Della and Elaine.

The former match official, of Dallas Avenue, Nythe, was a well-known figure in local football and most recently held the position of president of the Wiltshire League.

His death from a heart attack saddened the local football community. He was aged 66.

According to Dennis Kilford, 69, chairman of the league, the beautiful game has lost a dear friend.

"Pete loved Match of the Day," he said. "It was only right that it was played at his funeral.

"Football was his life and he was completely dedicated to it.

"He was such a fantastic bloke and we will all miss him terribly. He is completely irreplaceable."

Mr Kilford first met his friend almost 50 years ago on the football pitch.

He said: "Pete refereed several matches that I played in, and we instantly got on.

"He was always very fair and well-respected.

"Then we met up in 1976 when the Wiltshire League was formed we were both founder members."

In 1981, Mr Ackrill rose though the ranks to become general secretary.

"In all that time we never once had a cross word to say to each other," said Mr Kilford.

"Everything that he organised was spot-on and ran like clockwork."

Mr Ackrill first qualified as a referee in 1957 and also featured in the league's linesmen's list until he hung up his boots in 1979 to concentrate on the paperwork side of running the league, which has three divisions.

Many will remember him, however, through cup clashes, having officiated over most of the local finals in his time.

Wanting to take life easy, but determined to keep a foot in the beautiful game, he was honoured when he was named the league's new president.

Ray Burroughs, the Evening Advertiser's Wiltshire League correspondent, said he had never come across anyone quite as helpful.

He said: "I've been writing reports for the Adver for around six years and it was clear that everyone respected him.

"He was fair and treated everyone equally. He was a genuinely nice bloke.

"I could always expect some comment from him after a game."

Kevin Shoesmith