Ossett United are mourning the loss of one of the club’s founders, Steve Hanks.

Steve passed away on Saturday at Wakefield Hospice surrounded by his three sons Paul, Mark and Dave along with loving wife Mary and family after a long battle with cancer.

He will be remembered as a well known figure in non-league football, having amassed more than 40 years of service to football in Ossett, and was a founding father of the Ossett United club when it was formed through a merger of Ossett Town and Ossett Albion in 2018.

Over the years Steve held many roles, including chairman and secretary of Ossett Albion along with secretary and most recently vice-president of Ossett United.

Ossett United are mourning the passing of Steve Hanks.

placeholder image — Ossett United are mourning the passing of Steve Hanks.

"He never asked for credit nor sought acknowledgment just a man dedicated to his passion,” said a club statement.

“An oracle of the FA rulebooks and a fountain of non-league football knowledge, Steve was the go-to man. His experience was unmatched. His standards were unwavering. His loyalty to his club and his community was absolute.

"Football aside Steve was a family man dedicated to his children and grandkids for whom he would do anything for. At the heart of his life was his beloved wife Mary who he was married to for 54 wonderful years.

"A true gentleman of the world, no-one could have a bad word to say about Steve who leaves behind a burning hole in the hearts of us all.

"The Hanks family will share the funeral arrangements in due course for those who are wanting to pay their respects to this wonderful man. RIP Steve. One of a kind.”

On the pitch, United battled to a 2-2 home draw with North Ferriby in their latest NPL East game.

They trailed to an 18th minute Lewis Dennison goal, but turned the game round after the break with Franklin Middleton equalising with a stunning strike and Jordan Preston putting them ahead when getting on the end of Josh Askew’s great cross.

However, Ossett were denied what would have been a big victory in the second minute of added time when substitute Mason Johnson pounced to make it 2-2.

It was still a valuable point that keeps United five above the relegation zone. They travel to Hallam this Saturday.