Premier League star Phil Bardsley says his "heart is broken" after the death of his grandad Allan Bardsley who he credits with starting his footballing career at Manchester United.
Burnley star Phil confirmed that Allan, 82, had died on Easter Saturday hailing him the "king of the Bardsley family".
A well known face in Salford, Allan had championed and supported the young Phil as he worked towards and fulfilled his dream of playing professionally for Manchester United, and on throughout his Premier League career.
The much-loved dad, grandad and great-grandad will be known to thousands across Salford thanks to his years running the barber shop on Littleton Road, Kersal with wife Beryl and was a regular at The Lower Kersal Social Club run by his son Anthony and The Moorlands club in Weaste.
In an emotional Facebook post Premier League star Phil, 35, wrote: "This morning we lost the king of the Bardsley family, Grandad thank you for everything you done for me the trips up and down the country to help me fulfil my dreams of putting that red shirt on, the ups and downs the people doubting us, well we did it all because of your sacrifice to take me where ever I needed to go to play football.
"My heart is broken and I love you so much!!"
Phil's brother Joshua Bardsley, 27, said: "A big part of us has gone today but we will never ever forget the memories."
Phil's wife, Real Housewives of Cheshire star Tanya Bardsley also paid tribute on Instagram, saying: "Can't believe you have gone our beautiful King Bardo. Back with our queen Beryl Bardo now."
Allan had even proudly featured in the Real Housewives with Tanya and Phil.
Joshua said the family have been comforted in the knowledge that Allan is now at rest with wife Beryl, who passed away in 2016.
He leaves sons Anthony and Darren, grandchildren Phil, Joshua, Alex, Scarlett and Ethan, and great-grandchildren Gabriella, Rocco, Renz, Ralphi and Arabella as well as the extended Bardsley family who are mourning his loss.
The 82-year-old had battled coronavirus during the first lockdown in April 2020, beating the virus to return home but had suffered ill health in recent months and died peacefully at Hope Hospital in Salford on Saturday.
Joshua said: "Allan was born and raised in Salford and he owned the barbers shop on Littleton Road which is probably what he's actually famous for - he was a Salford legend for that.
"He was always the most positive person you could ever meet and his family were his absolute pride and joy - he could never do enough for you.
"When Phil started his football career my grandad would always be there to take him up and down the country wherever and whenever he needed to be whether it be Tuesday evening in the rain or Saturday in the sunshine.
"It was always the same for me and Alex too, we all used to go down to the barber shop every Saturday morning to get our haircut and to stop with my grandma and grandad, it was the best memories."
In a double tragedy for footballer Phil, he also revealed that he is still grieving the loss of his friend and agent Derek Wroe who died aged 50 last week after a car crash on the M6 in Cumbria.
Friends from the footballing world have reached out to send support to Phil and his family on his instagram post, including former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney, goalkeepers Joe Hart and Shay Given and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
Friends from the Lower Kersal Social Club have also been fondly remembering Allan as a community champion, including John Winder, who recalled his passion for darts and "playing at half the pubs in Salford".
John said: "Allan was a well-known character of the local community, through his involvement with the social side of his commitments at the Lower Kersal Social Club, and more so as being the local barber for many years, which he took over from his father when he retired.
"You would find Allan in the club most nights, in the vault, and at weekends with his late wife, Beryl.
"Allan helped in putting on some great functions in the club such as sportsman’s dinners, concert nights, and you would always find him on the door on New Year’s Eve, carrying out his official duties."
Funeral arrangements for Allan will be announced by the family in due course.
