Tributes have been paid to Bradford footballing hero Arthur Farrell who has died aged 89.

Mr Farrell had been part of the great wartime Bradford Park Avenue side and played alongside the likes of Chick Farr, Len Shackleton, and Ron Greenwood.

The full-back, who signed up to Park Avenue in 1939, also played for two years with Yorkshire rivals Barnsley before moving on to Huddersfield Town.

During the Second World War, Mr Farrell worked at a Castleford pit as a "Bevin Boy" and returned to Park Avenue to complete his 11-year stint with the side.

Playing in the number nine shirt, Mr Farrell clocked up 156 league appearances for Bradford and another 13 in the FA Cup and scored six goals.

After his footballing career, Mr Farrell had worked as engineer and, in later life, moved from his home in Huddersfield to the Isle of Wight.

In his last years, Mr Farrell fought a long battle against Parkinson's disease but died on September 20.

David Markham, sports reporter from the Telegraph & Argus, described Mr Farrell as a "good, solid player".

He said: "He was a very dependable left back in the days when left backs were mainly defenders.

"He had the misfortune to start his career at the outbreak of the war and, like other players of this generation, missed out on seven years of league football."

e-mail: drew.kendell

@bradford.newsquest.co.uk