A FOOTBALL club was in mourning today after their manager collapsed and died minutes after the final whistle had blown in his side's game last night.

Ramsbottom United FC manager Ken Bridge, 56, suffered a heart attack in the dressing room and, despite attempts to revive him by the club physio Kath Fitton and other officials, he was confirmed dead at Bury General Hospital.

He had just watched his side lose 2-1 to Cheadle Town at the Riverside ground in Ramsbottom when the tragedy happened.

Mr Bridge, who leaves a wife Kath and daughter Gill, had been manager at the NWCL Division One side since 1995.

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 ever 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.

"He put the club first before he put himself. The club would not be where it is today without him."

Mr Williams added: "He was brilliant to work with. We are a family-type club and when Ken joined us, he built on that, and we have been on the way up ever since."

Mr Bridge had a heart by-pass operation some years ago and was looking to having some other treatment.

His players at first thought he fallen over after bumping his head and were standing outside the dressing room until they realised it was more serious.

"We are all in a state of shock," said Rams secretary John Maher.

"At 7pm we were having a laugh and joke before the match as usual and three hours later, this happens. No one at the club can believe it."