A MAN who loved football, Henry Wreford was buried at Crediton Cemetery in his best football clothes. Henry died on December 21; he had celebrated his 90th birthday last September.

Born at Bishopsteignton, he came to Crediton as a child when his family moved to Landscore.

Before he was called up for the Second World War, Henry worked as a machine operator at Willey's and then at Claridge's timber yard in Exeter. He joined the Duke of Cornwall's Regiment and saw service in Africa, Italy and France.

He and Vera were married at Crediton Parish Church in July 1941 but it was two and a half years before Henry saw their son Michael for the first time. Daughter Sheila was born a few years later.

After the war, Henry was employed by for British Rail, first on the Southern Region then the Western Region, working for BR for 38 years. For some years Henry was at Central Station, Exeter, then St David's in the signal box and on the platform.

He became a shunter and also did relief work, which took him all over the area, sometimes sleeping at a station if getting back home was difficult.

Football was Henry's great interest. The Match of the Day theme music was played for his funeral service. His favourite team was Manchester United but he was at every Crediton United game, whether home or away. He had his own spot where he watched matches and had asked to be buried in the clothes he wore when supporting Crediton, which his family did.

For some time after leaving BR, Henry worked part-time at Moore Brothers Garage until it moved from Crediton High Street to Lords Meadow and Henry then worked for a while at Crediton Food Fayre.

As well as son Michael and his wife Jennifer and Sheila and her husband David Job, Henry leaves two grand children and five great grandchildren. The youngest is 16 months. Vera died four years ago.

Donations at his funeral service were for Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Hospiscare and may still be made via LeRoy Funeral Service M Wreford and Sons, 94-95 High Street, Crediton, EX17 3LB.