Footballers mourn loss of popular youth coach (From Penarth Times)

Footballers mourn loss of popular youth coach

THE footballing community in Dinas Powys is in mourning following the sudden death of the manager of one of the village's mini-section teams.

The funeral of Rob Green, coach of the Dinas Powys under 14Bs, was held last Friday.

Rob, 51, who suffered a heart attack, had two young sons - one of whom played in the team he was responsible for coaching.

Ray Davies, chairman of the Junior Section at Dinas Powys, said: "People like Rob - with his drive, tenacity and unceasing belief in the potential of the players - are not only a great loss to those players and their parents, but also to the club and the footballing community as a whole.

"Rob has worked with the junior section for many years as a mini-manager and has coached the under 14s through the various age groups over the years.

"Working closely with Brian and Tim, the other coaches, the team has made steady progress and this season was arguably their best to date.

"Rob was very proud of the team and he never missed the opportunity to tell me about how they were coming on at the end of my drive after a Saturday morning game."