TRIBUTES have been paid to a Highworth football legend who turned down his chance of the big time because he could not bear to leave his home town.

Rod Haines, of Highworth, died suddenly aged 69 after suffering a heart attack on Christmas Eve.

And with his death, friends and colleagues say Highworth Town Football Club has not only lost its chairman, but one of its best servants and most passionate supporters.

Many others remember Rod as a former Highworth town and Swindon borough councillor. He also served as Highworth mayor.

Fondly referred to as Mr Highworth Town, Rod maintained a 55-year relationship with the club he loved and remained a committed club chairman and town councillor up to his death, despite ill health.

His sons Fraser, 39, and Rohan, 43, both club committee members, and his seven grandchildren now plan to continue his legacy.

“He was a wonderful man, I’m so proud of him,” said Fraser.

Rod was Highworth born and bred and his love affair with the football club began after his first match for them as a goalkeeper at the age of 15.

He did trials with Portsmouth Football Club and even played in a match for them against Arsenal at Highbury.

But when it came down to it he decided he was too attached to Highworth to move and decided not to sign, instead taking up a job with British Rail.

He later worked for Pressed Steel and then as a gardener at Highworth’s Warneford School.

Rod was also politically minded and was elected to Highworth Town Council in 1972 as a Labour councillor.

He was also a Swindon borough councillor for 12 years from the 1990s, following in the footsteps of his mother Middi Haines.

“We used to meet at council meetings and he was always a genuine and sincere man,” said town councillor Richard Scotchmer.

“He was probably one of the hardest working councillors that the town has seen.”

Rod followed the football club through its ups and downs over 55 years taking on every role from player to treasurer to chairman and saw them win the Hellenic League Premier Division in 2005.

“That was just the best day of his life,” said Fraser.

“He was just a one club man, Highworth was his whole life.”

His 50 years of service was recognised by the Football Association with an award for long service.

Rod’s life was turned upside down with the death of his wife Maureen 18 years ago, until that point they had both been heavily involved in football.

“He just lived for his family and football to be honest,” said Fraser.

“Those were his two main loves, he lived for the football club and his grandchildren, that’s what kept him going.

“He thought the world of them, he was a lovely grandad and a top man.”

Rod lived to see one of his grandsons, eight-year-old Luke, signed by Swindon Town Football Club in May last year.

The funeral will take place at St Michael’s Church, in Highworth, at 11.45am on January 13.