Ref. 21014-02A POPULAR pork butcher and former Swindon Town chairman has died, aged 95.

Eric Lane was born and bred in Swindon, where he ran a butchers called The Pork Shop in Wood Street, Old Town.

On Monday he died at his home in Woodspring Court, in Grovelands Avenue.

Mr Lane's many accolades include winning second and third prize in the Best Black Pudding in Britain competition.

But his crowning moment came at Wembley in 1969, when as Swindon Town chairman he greeted all the players from the royal box after their historic League Cup victory over Arsenal.

Mr Lane sat next to Princess Margaret throughout the second half and described the memory of Stan Harland receiving the cup as the "proudest day of my life."

Ever loyal to his team, Mr Lane still attended home matches at the County Ground with his successor, Maurice Earle, until two years ago.

Mr Earle, 82, who now lives in Bath, said: "We still stayed in touch and shared memories of Swindon Town's glory days. I expect his dying wishes would be to see the team return to the first division."

Mr Lane was known for being affable and having a good sense of humour.

Mr Earle said: "Eric was a thoroughly likeable chap and had a dry, witty style. As a chairman he was efficient and effective."

When Mr Lane stopped going to home matches, fellow former club director, Dr John Nicholas would take round a programme to his home, complete with a precis of the game.

Dr Nicholas, 73, from Old Town, said: "Eric guided the club through the assembly of the North Stand and brought it into the 20th century. He had a lovely laugh and will be sorely missed."

Former director Len Collings, 72, from Lydiard, said: "Eric was a really keen, jolly chairman. He cracked great jokes and made some marvellous memories."

Mr Lane went to Sandford Street School and left to start working as an apprentice at a pork butcher's in Regent Street. He went on to buy the business in 1932 and married Kathleen Budding five years later in Holy Rood Church.

Together they also set up a restaurant, next to the butcher's, called The Golden Lantern. At one time Mr Lane was running four butchers' shops in Swindon, including The Pork Shop in Wood Street.

Mr Lane was passionate about Swindon Town ever since his childhood, when his father, Frank, took him to matches.

He joined the Town board in 1948 and was elected vice-chairman two years later. In 1968 Mr Lane took over from his friend Wilf Castle as club supremo.

Besides being devoted to the club, he was also heavily involved in the Swindon Chamber of Commerce and became its president in 1952.

His wife died five years ago and was buried at Christ Church, Old Town, on January 12 the same place and date when Mr Lane will be buried in 2004. A memorial service will also be held in the church at noon.

Mr Lane is survived by two sons and two grandchildren.

Victoria Tagg