A well-known, talented Barrow sportsman died on New Year’s Day at the age of 79.

Jimmy Wright played for Barrow AFC for two seasons in the early '60s along with his closest friend Brian Arrowsmith, the former club captain and legend.

A quality inside forward, Jimmy signed for the Holker Street club under Ron Staniforth, but with seasoned players in the first team he was restricted to playing in the reserves.

Prior to his stint with Barrow he had a season with local amateur rugby league team Roose at under-19 level.

John Winward, a Roose stalwart for many years, said: “I worked alongside Jimmy at the steelworks and though I knew he played soccer, I managed to get him down at Roose.

“He was a good player in the centre position, but soccer was his game.

“He was a nice person both on and off the field.”

John Knagg, who played alongside Jimmy at Vickers Sports Club – now Hawcoat Park – was saddened by the news.

“He was a good lad and very well thought of; it was a pleasure to play alongside him,” he said.

“It was through Jimmy that Vickers started a junior side, along with Ron Stevens; a team that included Ron’s son Gary, the former Everton and England full-back.

“Jim’s sons Steve and Jeff also played for the juniors.”

Len Ferguson, who for several decades was part of the furniture at Vickers Sports Club, said: “I played alongside Jimmy in what was a good season, 1965/66 with players like the Lowes brothers John and Barry; we won the West Lancs League title with Jimmy scoring the odd goal.

“I then took over running the reserves and Jimmy – although a natural forward – he helped me out by being a defender. He was a nice lad, it’s a great shame.”

A pupil at St James' Junior school, Jimmy went onto the grammar school, representing the Barrow schoolboys’ team under sports teacher Joe Humphries, who took the team to Holland in the early '50s.

He also played B-team cricket at Vickers and was a fine golfer at the Furness club on Walney.

Jimmy Wright was a lovely man and a true gentleman.