BOSCASTLE-born former professional footballer and manager Dudley Kernick died on Sunday, December 14, aged 98.

Dudley worked behind the scenes at Stoke City Football Club for 15 years from 1970; having previously helped the club hit the television screens in the BBC soap opera ‘United!’ during the 1960s.

As a young man who was born in Boscastle, his ambition was to become a professional footballer.

He made his debut playing football for Tintagel in the Cornish Football League when he was just 13 before joining Torquay United three years later.

He played wartime football for Birmingham City and Torquay United while serving in the RAF and also had post-war spells at Northampton Town, Shrewsbury Town, Kettering Town and Nuneaton Borough.

He was a youth coach for Jimmy Hill’s Coventry City and later guided Nuneaton Borough into the FA Cup third-round as their manager.

Lastly, he joined Stoke City whilst Tony Waddington was manager and he was their boss when the great Stanley Matthews played for them.

Dudley was one of the first commercial managers in the English Football League and served Stoke City in the capacity, for 15 years through the 1970s and 80s.

He wrote a couple of books, one called ‘The Devil of Trehorra’ and an autobiography called ‘Who The Hell Was Dudley Kernick’.

Close friend David Flower paid tribute to Dudley, saying: “He was a dear friend of mine since the 1960s when I opened my television business, ‘Flower’s Television & Electrical Services Ltd’.

“Dudley organised a rental television for his mother who still lived in Boscastle and of course paid the monthly rental.

“We became very good friends and when he moved to Florida in retirement, he still used to visit his beloved Boscastle and always came to see me each time. The last time we met was earlier this year when he treated a few of his family and friends along with his dear daughter Deborah, to a meal at Bossiney House Hotel.

“He was still enjoying life but sadly passed away. I will always miss my dear friend Dudley Kernick and I have been fortunate to have known him for so many years. Rest in peace, dear Dudley. There is sure to be football wherever you have gone.”