Tributes have been paid to former Bradford City chairman David Simpson who has died suddenly at his home at the village of Silkstone, near Barnsley, aged 59.

His death yesterday comes just five months after his younger daughter Elizabeth tragically died aged 14 after a short illness.

City chairman Geoffrey Richmond, who succeeded Mr Simpson as chairman in January 1994, said: "The news of his death came as total shock.

"He will be remembered as a chairman who, at all times, tried his very best for the club.

"His death puts everything into perspective. Our thoughts at this time must go to his family."

City vice-chairman David Thompson said: "The news of his death is total shock horror, particularly in view of Elizabeth's tragic death.

"The first time I met him was when and I others were taking over the club and he came in as an extra financier to lighten the load with the rest of us.

"We had shaken hands on a deal with the then chairman Jack Tordoff and David came in and said he was prepared to be chairman. I worked with him for four years at a very difficult time for the club."

Manager Paul Jewell who was a player when Mr Simpson was chairman said: "I got on with him very well. He was a likeable guy who enjoyed to come on the team bus and have a game of cards with the players. His death is a tragic loss."

A lifelong City supporter, Mr Simpson was chairman at Valley Parade for four years between February 1990 and January 1994 when he was succeeded by Mr Richmond, the then chairman of Scarborough.

The two men did an exchange deal with Mr Simpson replacing Mr Richmond as chairman of Scarborough, but he sold his interest in the seaside club at the end of that season and since then his main football interest has centred on Barnsley where he had a sponsors' box.

Mr Simpson, who lived at Harden for several years, was head of a Bradford based travel business, Dave Simpson Travel. The firm's headquarters are in Cheapside and there are also branches in Blackburn and North Wales.

He began the business in 1979 by booking holidays to Malta. He later expanded to Spain and other popular holiday destinations.

Mr Simpson moved into travel after a spell in entertainment. He bought Keighley Variety Club in 1974 and ran it for four years and for many years after he acted as an entertainment booking agency.

During his time in Keighley he became a director and later chairman of Keighley Rugby League club. He also played league cricket for for Manning-ham Mills and rugby union for Morley.

Mr Simpson leaves a widow, Barbara and daughter Helen, a student at Oxford University.

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