A FORMER Bradford (Park Avenue) manager has paid tribute to his ex assistant and friend of 31 years.

Phil Sharpe will be carrying Clive Freeman's coffin next week following his sad passing at the age of just 61 last month.

Freeman - who also played for the likes of Swansea City, Avenue, and Altrincham - died after a lengthy cancer battle on Tuesday, September 3.

The pair were in charge of the Horsfall-based club during the 2006-07 season.

"He was one of the closest friends in my life," Mr Sharpe said.

"He was very-much appreciated by the supporters because he had time for people.

"In those days, we drunk out of the pub at the top of the road.

"After games, we would all spend a lot of time with the supporters."

Mr Freeman famously scored the November 1992 BBC Goal of the Month for Altrincham in an FA Cup second round tie against Chester City.

It was at Alty where he first met Mr Sharpe before they went on to play together at five different clubs and manage together at Park Avenue and Guiseley. 

"He was very well-liked. He was a very funny lad," Mr Sharpe added.

"He could hold a dressing room and the banter towards me and my dress sense usually (laughs).

"He was always laughing and joking. We were good cop and bad cop (in management) with both of us taking the lead role at times.

"He was the life and soul of any party. Just a lovely fella."

Mr Freeman scored 15 times in 132 appearances for Bradford between 1996 and 2000.

He put his name in the Avenue history books in 1998-99, after scoring in three countries with goals at Gretna and Colwyn Bay.

Mr Sharpe said: "He loved the club. In those days, it was very much a supporters based club.

"He always said those Avenue playing days were the happiest of his career."

Fans are encouraged to join around 1,000 people set to gather for Mr Freeman's funeral service at Elland Road's Centenary Pavilion tomorrow (11.30am start).

Mr Sharpe added: "He was an exceptional football who probably underachieved a little bit.

"We will be at the service on Monday and I have seen far worse full backs than Clive Freeman play there over the road."