TRIBUTES have been pouring in for the man dubbed "Mr Irvine Vics" after he passed away following a short illness.

Bert Loach died aged 71 last Tuesday after being being admitted to Crosshouse Hospital with pneumonia a few days earlier.

He was involved with Irvine Victoria FC for 43 years before stepping down in 2013.

During his four decades there Bert filled every position on the committee but was most renowned for serving as secretary and then chairman.

Nothing would faze him - he would do everything from preparing teas, pie and Bovril to cutting the grass and putting the nets up.

Lots of club sponsorship was also secured by Bert, who took a great pride in the club.

Chairman Robert Hanvey said: "Bert was a stubborn proud man and everything he did was for Irvine Vics. Black and orange blood coursed through his veins.

"His wife Sandra died last March and he did so much for her.

"His family and Irvine Vics were his life. Bert said what he thought and that was it. If he was wrong he couldn't be shifted. Other junior clubs could do with someone like him, he was dedicated and went over and above the call of duty. He was always about and I worked with him in two different spells at Irvine Vics."

Manager Stevie Wilson said: "This is devastating news for the club and is tough to take. Bert was a great servant to the club over 42 years and he played a big part in what has been achieved. He knew the Junior game inside and out. Hopefully there will be a permanent tribute to him and this will be discussed.

"He kept the club going by putting up nets and cut the grass. A lot of what was done at the club dates back to when he was involved. There was a smile on his face when he heard we had won the Blantyre game. We heard he has been in hospital but had been in good health before that."

A minute's silence was held on Saturday before the home game against Rutherglen Glencairn and the flag was flown at half mast.

Former Vics boss Willie Reddick added: "If it wasn't for Bert Loach and Charlie Lowe there would be no Irvine Victoria and I mean that in all sincerely I would go as far as to say he was Mr Vics. On a personal note I will miss him as a friend. RIP Bert."

Former Ayrshire Junior Football Association secretary Matt Speirs said: "Bert was president of the Ayrshire Junior FA for a time and it was him who got the bus company Western SMT involved in Junior Football and that was a terrific sponsorship.

"He also represented Ayrshire in the Scottish Junior FA and the West of Scotland Junior FA. He was very popular and had lots of idiosyncrasies. Bert had his own ideas on what he wanted to do and if people did not agree with him they would fall out with him. He was a great servant for Irvine Vics and I saw him at a game there this season. He will be missed."

In recent years Bert became involved in Irvine's Fullarton Parish Church.

The Irvine church gave him the.Excellent Service in The Community award for services to Irvine Vics in 2013.

He was also one of our ‘property conveners’.

He then started coming to services and getting involved in Fullarton Connexions, which is the church's working name, becoming a property convener.

Fullarton Church minister the Rev Neil Urquhart said: "In the last year or so he has been involved at Connexions served as a volunteer caretaker. He did everything with a smile. I would chat. Everyone was quite sad at the news and hopefully Bert has been promoted to greater glory. He was very popular in the church and people have spoken of his smile and cheery welcome."

Bert is survived by his four daughters, Anita, Sandra, Louise and Tracie.

His funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 4, 11am in Fullarton Connexions and 12 noon at Holmsford Bridge Crematorium.