TRIBUTES have been paid to the president of Beeston Hockey Club, who has died at the age of 67.
Former policeman David Williams collapsed at home after watching Notts County play on Friday.
His son Daniel Williams spoke to him after the game.
He said: "He was over the moon they had come back from 1-0 down [to win 4-1] – he said to me he was floating home.
"He got home, shouted up to mum 'C'mon you Pies!' took his shoes off and then he was gone. It was a huge shock."
Mr Williams became involved with the hockey club when his son started playing for the team in 1990.
He was chairman of the club before he became president.
Two days after his death the club secured top spot in the Premier Division.
A minute's applause was held in tribute to Mr Williams at the game on Sunday. Daniel said: "It was a nice touch.
"He would have been absolutely ecstatic about the result.
"To win on Sunday and actually win the league, it's been an immense period.
"He was booked to go to Amsterdam for the European matches so he was planning on being there all the way.
"Sadly, it was not to be."
Mr Williams also held the position of chairman at Notts Hockey Association.
In 1998 he joined Nottingham City Council as the first dedicated co-ordinator for the Duke of Edinburgh scheme in the city – a move which saw the number of young people taking part in the scheme rise from 300 to 1,200 in nine years.
He also held the position of chairman at Nottingham Outward Bound Association and at Notts Schools Council for Sport.
Mr Williams' passion for helping young people carried over into his work for Notts Police, which he joined when he was 16.
As an officer he spent time based at St Ann's, Carlton and Central police stations, eventually becoming a police inspector, before he moved to Community Affairs, based at the force's headquarters at Sherwood Lodge.
Much of that time was spent working with young offenders aged 17 to 24 at Nottingham Attendance Centres, which provide an alternative to custodial sentences.
He continued his commitment to the centres until recently – spending every other Saturday at Nottingham Senior Attendance Centre for over 30 years.
Daniel said: "I was really proud of him for doing that.
"He set such a good example to me and all other young people.
"There was no special reason for his community work, he was just a caring sort of man."
He added: "He never smoked, drank or broke the speed limit. He was a true gentleman."
Mr Williams, who lived in Lady Bay and was a season ticket-holder at Notts County, was recognised for his work when he received an MBE in 2007.
The other big passion in Mr Williams' life was his family – his wife of 42 years Anne Williams, 65, son Daniel and two-year-old grandson Henry.
Daniel, 40, who lives with his wife Andrea in Bottesford, said: "He'd already bought him a Beeston Hockey shirt and a Notts County top.
"I'm terribly sad he won't get to see him grow up."
