A SOCCER enthusiast who decided to help a junior league on a temporary basis is stepping down at the end of the season - after more than 20 years in the job.

To hundreds of soccer players and team managers in the Harrogate and District Junior League, Ian Brown has been far more than league secretary for the 150 teams playing in an area stretching from Leeds to Ripon.

He said: "Unfortunately, I've been the man who has had to hand out some fines. I never intended to be league secretary, but just volunteered my services in a temporary role to help the league get established.

"But I have enjoyed all the comradeship and have made many friends."

Mr Brown, 60, of Dacre Banks, Nidderdale, is stepping down because he is retiring from his job as a civil servant at RAF Menwith Hill and moving to live in Southport near his 30-year-old daughter Amanda and 33-year-old son Mark.

Tributes to Mr Brown have been paid by league chairman Councillor Cliff Trotter.

He said Mr Brown had played a key role in helping the league expand from its humble beginnings and would be difficult to replace.

The league grew from a handful of teams to 150, involving thousands of youngsters aged ten to 17.