BLACKBURN Rovers is not the only football club mourning Jack Walker's death.

For Walker took equal pride in the fortunes of his local Jersey side, First Tower United.

He became a patron of the club in 1975 when his postman extolled the virtues of the Jersey League champions soon after the steel magnate had moved onto the island.

Club president Colin Jones recalled: "In the early 80s we played Littlehampton in the FA Vase and drew 4-4.

"He invited both teams, their officials and wives back to his house for a party.

"The Littlehampton players could not believe it. His generosity was unbelievable.

"And then he travelled over to England to watch the replay."

With Walker's support, the club stayed top dogs on the island for seven years but did not have their own ground.

And the nomadic existence was proving a problem in attracting the island's top talent.

So Jack bought St George's Preparatory School for £1.2million, leased it back to the school on the condition they allowed their site -- a sglorified potato field with a few run down sheds -- to be developed into First Tower's plush La Hague Manor base.

That's where Rovers took on First Tower at the end of the 1994, as part of Jersey's Liberation Day celebrations.

However, in an ironic mirroring of Rovers fortunes, First Tower's on-field success has tailed away since 1995 when they last won the championship.

Jones added: "He never refused us anything but was always just one of the lads.

"Johnny -- as he is known over here -- always came to the Christmas party and he was always first on the dancefloor.

"And it was a test for everyone to survive his bearhug.

"If we ever signed any new players, he always wanted to know their first names.

"But then we didn't see so much of him last year and obviously he has not been to watch for some time. Even though we knew he was not well, his death has still come as a great shock."

First Tower are from the only sporting cause that Jack has helped on the island.

His Jersey European Airways company sponsors the island's First Division championship, as well as golf's Microlease Jersey Open.

He built a bowling alley, Jersey Bowl, to help Jersey Rugby Football Club build a brand new clubhouse and subsidised trips to England to compete in national tournaments, as he did with First Tower.

Their former chairman Harry Marshman, added: "He was a modest man, he never sought praise and would happily organise the bacon sarnies or stand his round in the pub the same as anybody else.

"We never had anything in writing, but if he gave his word he would always honour it. He was a lovely man."