Tributes have been to paid to a former professional footballer following his death from coronavirus.
Cyril Lawrence, 99, died on Tuesday - two months shy of his 100th birthday.
Brought up in Ordsall in Salford, Cyril played for Blackpool, Rochdale and Wrexham, although his career was interrupted by the Second World War.
His granddaughter, Holly Leese, described him as a 'big character' who 'lived life to the full'.
"He always had a tale to tell," she added.
"He was Salford born and bred and spent a lot of his youth down at the docks where he met characters from all over the world.
"Grandad was so generous and friendly. He would talk to anyone and loved sitting on Salford Precinct talking about his football career and his time in the Navy."
While working as an apprentice at Gresham and Craven in Salford, Cyril had a successful trial at Blackpool, signing on for £10 and an £8 a week in-season wage.
At the time, The Seasiders were one of the country's top sides and their ranks included future club legend Stan Mortenson.
Cyril made his first team debut at Goodison Park but his fledgling career was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War.
He subsequently joined the Royal Navy, and before being posted, he turned out on several occasions for Hyde United alongside future Liverpool manager Joe Fagan.
During the war, Cyril was posted to the battleship King George V and served as a gunner across the globe.
He was witness to some of the war's most historic episodes, including the pursuit and destruction of the Bismark and the surrender of Japan.
Whilst on a short leave in 1944, he returned to Salford to marry his sweetheart Clara.
When the war came to an end the following year, Cyril resumed his football career.
But his game had suffered at the expense of his military service, and he struggled to break into a Blackpool side competing at the top end of the First Division.
A departure to Rochdale soon followed, where he played for several seasons before joining Wrexham in 1950.
He would retire from the game two years later.
A series of regular jobs followed, including work as a plumber, while he settled down to a quiet life in Langworthy with Clara and their two children, Elaine and Norma.
Cyril's health began to deteriorate in recent years as he suffered from dementia.
While living in a care home in Farnworth, he picked up what was initially thought to be a chest infection and was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital at the weekend.
He later tested positive for coronavirus, and his heartbroken family were forced to say their goodbyes over video link before he passed away on Tuesday.
A funeral has been planned for later this month, although it will not be the huge send off his family would have liked to have given him.
"It was a shock when when he heard he had coronavirus," said Ms Leese.
"He had a big family so we would have had a big send off for him. It is upsetting that we cannot do that for him."
Cyril is survived by his wife of 75 years, Clara, and their two children, Elaine and Norma.
He also leaves behind four grandchildren, including Ms Leese, and four great grandchildren.
