A STALWART of amateur footballer who earned accolades as a player and referee has died at the age of 80.

Joe Welsh, from Lanchester, County Durham, collected 40 trophies in his sporting career.

Away from the pitch he was a lecturer at Durham Technical College.

Geordie actor Tim Healy was a pupil in his welding class and never forgot the skills Mr Welsh taught him.

When they met at a New College returners' day, the Auf Wiedersehen Pet star told Mr Welsh he had welded a vehicle that had broken down on location in the desert.

Mr Welsh's love of football started as a nine-year-old in the 1930s. His family have pictures of him with Dean Bank School in 1937-38 before his adult career began with Spennymoor United's reserves.

As a teenager he had trials with Tottenham Hotspur before, in 1949, playing wing half for both Chilton and Evenwood Town, with his wife Dulcie a loyal supporter on the terraces.

Success came in 1951 at Wolsingham when he captained an unbeaten side which made history by reaching the first round proper of the FA Amateur Cup by beating Northern League side Whitley Bay.

The team emptied the village when supporters travelled to the tie against Norton Woodseats, in Sheffield, enjoying a 2-0 victory before losing to Ford Dagenham in the second round.

The same season, Wolsingham won the Durham FA Amateur Cup.

Mr Welsh's working life started at 14 as a welder at the Dean and Chapter Pit.

Living in Newton Aycliffe, he worked for a number of local companies before completing a certificate in education at the same time as his daughter Linda was studying for her O-levels.

After taking evening classes at Gateshead College, he was appointed senior lecturer at Durham, playing for a staff side and earning player of the year trophies.

Although football was his first love, he was also a good cricketer.

He earned more trophies as a referee and linesman and was involved in coaching young players until, in July 1984, while coaching schoolboys at Gateshead Stadium with Jimmy Montgomery and other Sunderland players, he suffered such a severe stroke that his family was warned he would not survive. Showing remarkable courage, and with his wife's devoted care, he learned to walk again.

He leaves his wife Dulcie, daughter Linda, son-in-law John Marrin and grandsons Paul and David.

Mr Welsh's funeral is tomorrow, at 11am, in Lanchester Parish Church