A FAMILY man well respected in local footballing circles has died at the age of 69.

John Richard Brading died on Wednesday December 2 at the Mountbatten Hospice in Newport.

Born in Ryde in 1951, Mr Brading attended Haylands Primary, Swanmore Junior and Ryde High School.

Other than his family and travel, Mr Brading's big passion was football from the grassroots up to the Premier League.

He played the sport for his school, youth clubs and many Island teams including Ryde United, Ryde County Old Boys, Haylands, Binstead, Seaview, Parkhurst and Sunday League teams.

As a supporter of both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portsmouth Football Club, Mr Brading went to many top-flight and lower league matches, in addition to attending games at Brading Town Football Club on Saturdays.

He spent his career as a qualified self-employed painter and decorator, and was highly regarded by all his customers.

Mr Brading married Amy and they had three children together — Sophia, Toby and Sam — and subsequently four grandchildren.

As a couple they enjoyed a happy life travelling the world, visiting 57 countries and making many friends across the globe, but always loved coming home and walking their dogs along Appley Beach.

Mr Brading was described as an honest, brave, kind and caring person, who was a very happy and contented man and loved his wife and family, his dogs, his home and his life.

The family has expressed their gratitude towards St Mary’s Cancer Care team Anne and Emi, Southampton Radiotherapy and Cancer Teams and Portsmouth Renal High Care Team.