Former Lincoln City manager, coach, and physio Bert Loxley has died aged 74 after a long battle with illness.
Bert joined the club in 1966 and was manager for a short spell between 1970 and 1971. He was also part of the management team which won the 1976 Division Four title. However a celebration of that achievement two years ago didn't feature Bert who was already battling illness.
Bert left the club after the relegation to the Vauxhall Conference back in 1987. In 1979 then European Champions Nottingham Forest came along, Brian Clough and all for Berts testimonial.
Former Imps and England manager Graham Taylor told local radio "Bert Loxley was a superb fellow, totally trustworthy. I have lost a very very close friend, but I think Lincoln City have lost a tremendous servant to their club."
It is known that back in 2006 Graham visited Bert before the '25 year' anniversary dinner, and their friendship never wained over the years.
Former Imps manager George Kerr told the BBC "He was strong, funny and dependable. He was the rock, he called himself the rock and will always be known as that."
It is expected that the club will hold a minutes applause before tonights game with Rochdale, subject to FA clearance.