Tributes have been paid to a much-loved community leader and former footballer who died following a long battle with cancer.
John Payne, a long-time Cornwall county councillor and benefits advocate, died last week at the age of 63.
He was particularly well-known in Newlyn and Mousehole, where his role in bringing Manchester United down to play the local team in 1987 earned him the nickname "Billy Boot".
After 17 invitations to the Red Devils, the club eventually agreed to Mr Payne's request to take part in the friendly match.
Those who knew him have described Mr Payne as a generous, dedicated and tireless champion of the rights of socially disadvantaged people.
One of his main achievements was to help residents access millions of pounds in benefits – some have put the total figure as high as £10million.
Mr Payne, who leaves two sons, Jerry and Steve, and wife, June, often classed himself as a Bevanite in reference to the left-wing Labour movement. Despite being defeated at the unitary council elections in June 2009, he continued his work as a benefits advocate, helping anyone who needed a hand with their claims.
Friend Roger Harding said the pair had been opponents on both the football field and in the political arena, but they ended up firm friends.
He said: "He always worked for the benefit of our local community. Many people will be forever grateful to him."
Darren Woodard, first team manager at Mousehole football club, said: "If John said he would do something, he would do it," he said. "He must have been very proud to see Manchester United down here – he was a person who would get everything organised."
The former chief executive of Penwith District Council, Jim McKenna, said: "John was a lovely man and an outstanding councillor who was an inspiration to many of the staff at the council.
"He helped many hundreds of people and will be sadly missed. He was one of those people who was irreplaceable because there was nobody like him – nothing was too much trouble."
Fellow councillor Chris Goninan added: "John was a very special person and I for one feel privileged to have been his friend.
"His mission in life was to help those who were less fortunate than himself and to be a good and proactive local councillor truly representing the wishes of the people he represented.
"A true champion for those people who were vulnerable, frail and elderly."
Jenny Beamish, who runs the Gwavas residents' association, remembered Mr Payne as "a very helpful person" who raised £2 million in benefits for the estate's residents.
She said: "He worked tirelessly to help other people – even when he wasn't a councillor, he did it voluntarily."
A funeral for John Payne will take place on Wednesday, April 6, at 11am in St Peter's Church in Newlyn. All are welcome.
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN