TRIBUTES have been paid to a former footballer who scored two goals in a winning cup final and was part of a team’s most exciting front line of all time.

Mike Tracey scored 19 of Crook Town’s 128 goals in the 1958-1959 season.

The inside left’s only season at the club ended with him scoring two of Crook Town-s goals in a 3-2 win over Barnet in the FA Amateur Cup final.

Tracey, who went on to play for Luton Town and Lincoln City, died recently at the age of 79.

John Phelan from Durham Amateur Football Club said Tracey was a key part of Crook’s strike force along with Arnold Coates, Seamus O’Connell, Brian Keating and Jimmy Mcmillan.

Mr Phelan said: “Tracey’s debut was described as a bit of a flop but Crook went on to win the amateur cup that year with one of the most exciting teams in Crook’s history, and hew as an important member.

“Shortly after he left to join Luton, Crook Town lost 1-0 to York City in the FA Cup second round.

“The manager, George Wardle, said Crook would have won if Tracey had been playing.

“Tracey told me he always wished he had stayed at Crook for longer.”

After retiring from football he became a full time solicitor and father of 12 before moving to Ireland.