A FORMER Hereford United director and well-known city businessman has died.

Graham Rivers was a director at Hereford United in its heyday and was a big supporter of the club, spending several years on the board.

He was also a long-serving members of the Hereford Lions Club and was a former president of the group.

Colin Addison, a former manager of Hereford United and a close friend of Mr Rivers, paid tribute to him.

He said he was a very popular figure within the local football scene.

“I have known him a long time – he was a super guy,” said Addison.

“ He became a director of Hereford United just after I came.

“I got to know him ever so well, and his family, over the years.

“They were big Hereford United supporters.”

In recent years, he said, the pair would enjoy a coffee together in Hereford on a Friday as Mr Rivers’ wife, Beryl, did her shopping.

“He will be sadly missed,” added Addison. “He was a great guy.”

Mr Rivers was also passionate about community work and did as much as he could, particularly as a member of the Lions Club.

He was also well-known for his entrepreneurial spirit and was a skilled engineer by trade.

He had bought a firm called Votex, a manufacturing company which specialised in making machinery, and was living in Breinton after returning to Hereford from the Isle of Man.

George Thomas, of Hereford Lions Club, added: “He was a great character.”

Mr Rivers, who was in his late 70s and had been unwell for some time, died at Ross-on-Wye Community Hospital on Tuesday.