Tributes paid to ex-City player Ledbury, 51 (From Worcester News)

Tributes paid to ex-City player Ledbury, 51

9:20am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in Sport By Steve Carley, @stevecarleyWN

FORMER Worcester City footballer Paul Ledbury has died at the age of 51.

He played 75 times for the St George’s Lane club between 1986 and 1988, scoring three goals.

A sporting all-rounder, he also played cricket for a number of clubs, including Ledbury and Eastnor.

His cousin, former Hereford United player Steve Emery, said: “Paul’s football career saw him play for both Worcester City and Gloucester City but he also made a strong impact with Ledbury Town before signing for Pegasus Juniors and becoming a vital part of one of the city side’s most successful eras.”

Dave Llewellyn, who was Juniors joint-manager with Clive Trenchard at the time of Ledbury’s arrival, added: “Paul was one of three players who signed for us from Ledbury. The others were Chris Burton and Bryan Bouston.

“Paul played in midfield alongside Ian Rodgerson and Gavin Price and they were a formidable unit together — Ian and Gavin were ball players and Paul provided the balance.

“He had great commitment and was always thinking about the game. He would often come up with an alternative when we were working out our set-pieces.

“He had three seasons with Pegasus and it was a purple patch for the club, a really halcyon time — we won the league, the county cup and a Worcester cup.”

His funeral service will take place at St Michael and All Angels Church in Ledbury on Tuesday, January 22, at noon.