RAMSBOTTOM United manager Ken Bridge collapsed and died in the dressing room at the end of a match last night.

Mr Bridge, aged 56, watched his side lose 2-1 to Cheadle Town at the Riverside ground in Ramsbottom, then suffered a heart attack.

Despite attempts to revive him by physio Kath Fitton and other club officials, he was confirmed dead a short time later at Bury General Hospital.

Players were stunned by the tragedy, which happened as the team walked back to the changing room.

Mr Bridge, who lived with his wife Kath in Pembroke Drive, Bury, was a former manager of Radcliffe Borough, and took over as joint manager of Ramsbottom in 1994.

He took full charge the following season for their first year at semi-professional level in the North West Counties League.

Under his leadership, he guided the team to cup final success that season, won the division two championship the following year, and saw the side finish third in the first division last year, the club's highest position.

Club chairman Harry Williams said: "Ken did so much for the club.

"He put everything into it, and by doing so probably risked his own health.

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"He put the club first before himself.

"The club would not be where it is today without him.

"He was brilliant to work with.

"We are a family club and when Ken joined us, he built on that, and we have been on the way up ever since."