It is with regret we have to announce that Bryan Herbert, a member of Bacup Borough's playing squad for the past 11 years, sadly passed away last night. He was 27.

As a mark of respect, the Lancashire FA have postponed tonight’s Co-Operative Challenge Trophy match between Nelson and Bacup Borough.

Bacup Borough manager Brent Peters paid this tribute to Bryan.

"Like all of the local football family I am shocked and deeply upset by the death of Bryan.

“In football terms I have watched Bryan grow up and progress from the days that he played upfront alongside my son Martin whilst playing for Phil Gregory and Keith Langley's Bacup Junior's side. I gave Bryan his debut for Bacup Borough Football Club at the age of sixteen, and from this moment Bryan remained loyal not only to Bacup Borough Football Club but his local roots of Bacup.

"Over the ensuing football seasons, the competition for a regular first team place at Bacup was tough, especially in the position of Striker as Bryan was, due to the fact that we had no reserve team.

“In order that he could continue playing the game he loved regularly, he moved down the road to join Stacksteads St Josephs. But such was Bryan's loyalty to his home town club of Bacup, he would sign on with us every year knowing that a back log of fixtures, injuries, suspensions would always create an opportunity for him to wear the Bacup Borough number 9 shirt which he was always proud to do. The final Bacup Borough Squad that Bryan was involved in was on 4th May 2012, away to AFC Liverpool.

“Bryan loved his football, and he was quick with a good eye for goal. He was such a rare type of person by the fact that he would be fully committed to the demanding responsibilities that come with playing at a club competing at the level that we do. I get asked on many occasions about local lads playing for their local team, and while some have done and progressed into an even higher level of football, most do not because they struggle with the demands of training and games coming twice per week.

“But Bryan loved training, and he loved playing, and was fully committed be it a training game or a fully fledged official game. His commitment, his enthusiasm, his determination could never be questioned.

“Bryan Herbert's legacy will always remain with me and Bacup Borough Football Club, and there is a big void left that will never be filled. I am sure I speak for all the teams for whom he has graced their shirt, that Bryan Herbert will be sadly missed, His smile, his frown, his ups, his downs, the effort he would always produce, Bryan Herbert will be a sad loss to not only his close family but his football family.

“RIP Bryan - you were a top lad!!”

Bacup Borough Football Club would like to go on record to thank the Lancashire Football Association, Nelson Football Club, the North West Counties League and member clubs for their help, support and the many messages of condolences received following the sad loss of Bryan.