TRANMERE Rovers are mourning the death of their honorary club chaplain, Canon Alan Poulter, who died last week.

A spokesman for the club said: "It was with great sadness that the club heard the news of Canon Poulton's death.

"He had been club chaplain for 17 years and provided comfort and advice for many players and staff through the years. He was a big fan of the club, had a cheerful personality and will be greatly missed."

Alan grew up in Cheltenham where he attended Christ Church. While in that Youth Fellowship he was influenced by the curate Rev Bob Dore and he felt called to the ministry, when he did his National Service with the Royal Air Force.

He served for three years spending, the last eighteen months in the accounts deptartment of the Royal Air Force Chaplain's School at Andoversford, Gloucestershire.

He left the RAF and worked as an office manager for a boat hire firm in Tewkesbury, which was the time he met his wife to be Ann.

She was studying to be a teacher at St. Mary's Teacher Training College, and they married in December 1963.

Alan was then doing a course of general studies at Durham prior to going to St. Aidan's Theological College, Birkenhead, from 1964 to 1967. He was ordained at Chester Cathedral on Sept 29, 1967.

Alan had a full ministry in the Chester Diocese for 35 years to the day, retiring on Sept 29 2002. During that time he served in the parishes of St. Peter, Heswall, St. Marks Bredbury, Stockport, St. Saviour's, Oxton, and his final role was that of Rector of Chester City Team Parish.

He was made Canon of Chester Cathedral in 1996 and was Rural Dean of Birkenhead from 1993 to 1997.

For 17 years he was honorary club chaplain to Tranmere Rovers FC. He was appointed after the Hillsborough disaster and held the role until his death.

During his ministry he also held various other chaplaincies to hospitals, Mayors and close to his heart the Air Crew Association of Merseyside. His widow Ann said: "Throughout his ministry Alan was dedicated to Parish Ministry, and had a wonderful way of reaching out to people - making them feel that they really mattered."

A service of thanksgiving for his life will be held at St. Saviour's, Oxton, on Thursday October 6, starting at 2.30pm.