Scarborough Athletic chairman Trevor Bull leads tributes to former Boro president John Birley

Birley was a long-standing president and director of Scarborough Football Club and more recently attended Athletic games at the Flamingo Land Stadium.

Birley also served as chairman of the YMCA for 25 years, also serving 12 years as president before stepping down from his roles in 2019 and was also a long-serving vice president of Scalby Cricket Club.

Bull said: "It's very sad news to hear about John's passing, he was a great supporter of football in Scarborough for a long, long time.

"I only really got to know John in recent years, but every time I saw him at the Flamingo Land Stadium he had a big smile on his face and was clearly a big supporter of football in the town.

"He'll be sadly missed by all involved with football in Scarborough."

A club statement also said: "Everyone at Scarborough Athletic would like to send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of former Scarborough FC president and director John Birley.

"John did so much for football in Scarborough during his time involved with the club and at the same time he was a truly lovely man.

"RIP John."