Heartfelt tributes have been flowing following the death of a local dad who devoted his spare time to voluntarily coaching football at a local primary school for 12 years.

Trevor Hardy, 55, of Maplefield, Park Street, died from cancer on Saturday April 19.

An avid Spurs’ fan, Trevor began coaching football to Years five and six pupils at St Peter’s School, Cottonmill Lane, while one of his three children was playing the sport.

His daughter, Elizabeth Hardy, told the Herts Ad that her father would work “extra hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays so he could leave early on Fridays to run the football clubs”.

A keen footballer, Trevor unfortunately had to stop playing the sport after breaking a leg in three places.

His wife, Carol, said that Trevor played football for many years, with the former St Albans United, where he was part of a team which made it into the Guinness Book of Records for the longest five-a-side game ever played.

He also played for Sandridge Rovers FC.

Carol said that when Trevor coached at St Peter’s “he enjoyed passing on knowledge and skills, and also his enthusiasm and love of the sport”.

Elizabeth said her dad treasured - and kept - cards and presents pupils gave to him at the end of every term.

The school’s PE subject leader, Mark Walter, said that Trevor continued coaching “right up until he became too ill to carry on. Trevor was much-loved. He was a really kind and generous man who gave up his own spare time, for a sport he loved.

“I remember when our team won the St Albans City cup and it was a wonderful moment, to see his team win.”

Trevor is survived by Carol and their three children, Nicola, David and Elizabeth.

• A funeral is being held at West Herts Crematorium, Watford, on Thursday May 1, at 3.20pm. Family flowers only. Trevor requested donations to Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support or When You Wish Upon A Star. He asked for those attending the service to wear their football colours.