Tributes have been paid to a well-loved community figure who was sometimes referred to as ‘Mr Bridport FC’ for his passion and service to the club.
Keith Morgan, who died on Sunday, April 9 aged 77, was a volunteer at the Bridport Football Club for 45 years in a variety of roles and helped to 'turn the club around.'
As the youngest of three brothers, he moved to Bridport with his family at 16. His volunteering at Bridport FC started when he took on running the Junior Bees and from there he gradually became more involved. He eventually became Club Secretary and Treasurer and also ran the Beehive as a Bar Steward.
His son Steve Morgan described him as a ‘community hero’ with a ‘wicked sense of humour’.
He added: “Dad was a true community hero, and his dedication to the Bridport football club was an inspiration to us all.
“He was a selfless leader who always put the needs of others before his own, and his legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched throughout his long and illustrious career.
“Dad would often work weekends until the early hours of the morning, running the bar for numerous events, again purely out of selfless dedication, never taking a penny for all his hard work, always going the extra mile, and putting the club's needs above his own.
“His tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to the Bridport football club turned its fortunes around.”
Keith was a fan of Tottenham Hotspur and would regularly go to matches with his brother Christopher.
Steve recalled being brought to club events with his sister when they were little to help their dad with whatever event was being run that weekend, whether it was a wedding or a heavy metal night.
Steve added: “His passion for football was unmatched. He literally turned the Bees around when he first started, he went above and beyond.
"He is going to be missed by the community and the club."
A spokesperson for Bridport FC said: "Keith was a true stalwart of Bridport FC giving over 45 years of his time to the club in various roles. No job was too big or too small for him to take on.
"Our thoughts go out to all of Keith's family and friends at this sad time. Keith will always be remembered for the hours he dedicated to Bridport Football Club."
Keith was married to Janet Morgan and has two children, Steve Morgan, and Emma Cormack. He has four grandchildren, Nyah, Darcy, Lewis and Frank.
He worked as a production manager at Abbott Brown & Sons before the firm dissolved and spent his last few years before retiring working at a hotel in Cricket St Thomas.
He passed away peacefully at 5am on Sunday in his bed at Pinhay House, a nursing home in Lyme Regis after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 18 months prior.
The funeral will be on April 26 at 1pm at Weymouth Crematorium, all are welcome.
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