THE family and friends of the founder of Manstow Football Club have paid tribute to 'a true gentleman' who did so much for Ivybridge. Nick Cummins died at Derriford Hospital, in Plymouth, on Saturday, June 14 after a short illness. Many local residents and people involved in youth football around the county will remember Nick's devotion to the community. A wonderful husband, father and grandfather, Nick leaves wife Betty, children Sharron, Michelle and Nick and five grandchildren. Nick was born in Nottingham in 1946, after leaving school he took a job at building construction company, Kier. His job took him and his family to Wales, Devon and the Isle of Man, but when Nick moved to Ivybridge in 1973 he decided to settle in the town to let his children grow up there. With his son coming to the age of joining a team, Nick founded Manstow Boy's Club in 1984, a youth football team which merged the names of two local primary schools – Manor and Stowford. Since the start of the club 30 years ago, Nick remained as club secretary and also managed a number of teams. After starting the under 12s team for his son, Manstow now have seven youth clubs across the different age groups. In Nick's eyes there was nothing that was too much trouble with many former players showing their appreciation of 'Mr Manstow'. Since his death tributes have flooded onto Facebook from former players and people from the community who knew him and saw how much of a difference he made. Shaun Warry wrote on Facebook: 'Great man, proud to have been in his first ever football team and still have many mates from that team and boys club. RIP. Love to all the family.' Colin Ross said: 'Top man, a great inspiration to a lot of the young people in Ivybridge. Manstow will never be the same – he devoted a lot of his time to it. RIP Nick. 'When he is up there, I bet it won't be long before he is setting a team up.' Karl Ward said: 'RIP Nick, a great man who did so much for Ivybridge football, I loved playing for Manstow through my teenage years, a legacy to be extremely proud of. Thoughts to all family and friends.' Ben Smith wrote: 'I never played for Manstow but I know the hard work Nick Cummins put into that club and for the children of Ivybridge. RIP Nick.' Nick would often drive Manstow players across the country for trials with professional football teams. An avid Plymouth Argyle supporter and season ticket holder who attended every match with his son, Nick. His family said: 'We knew how he devoted his life to the football club, but we didn't realise the difference he made to so many people. The whole family are just really proud.' For his involvement in Manstow, Nick was awarded with the town council's citizen of the year award in 2008. Paul Maller, who has been at Manstow for the past 10 years, said: 'He was a true gentleman, he did everything by the book – you couldn't cut a corner with him. 'I would think that over 90 per cent of people that have played football in Ivybridge would have gone through Manstow one way or another. 'He was well known and well liked in the town, the Devon Junior Minor league and at Devon FA and he is a great loss to the football club and the DJM. 'He would do everything for the boys and would do it all himself, he was a great man.'