The Irish Football Association has been left devastated by the sudden death of popular Football Operations Manager Craig Stanfield.
Mr Stanfield, who had had been an employee of the IFA for the past three decades, passed away on Saturday morning after suffering a suspected heart attack at his family home.
Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson, who described Craig as “extremely popular”, broke the news to shocked association staff earlier today.
Offering the IFA’s deepest sympathy to the Stanfield family, a spokesman said: “We are absolutely devastated and deeply saddened by this news.
“Craig was a perfectionist when it came to his job and he was also hugely popular with his work colleagues.”
Mr Stanfield had returned home on Friday night after observing Arsenal’s 1-0 Europa League win over Olympiacos in Greece on behalf of the association.
His key role as Football Operations Manager gifted him a broad remit and he also acted as match manager for all of Northern Ireland’s home internationals.
The experienced administrator was also central in helping organise and oversee Northern Ireland’s preparations for the Euro 2016 finals in France.
Craig's role was expanded recently when he was put in charge of successfully delivering the UEFA Super Cup final to Belfast in 2021.
Former Northern Ireland midfielder and the IFA’s Elite Performance Director Jim Magilton offered his sympathy to the Stanfield family on Twitter.
A raft of Irish League clubs also offered their condolences while the Irish FA tweeted:
