BY TOBY ROBINSON

THE sudden death of Crewe Alexandra Community Manager Chris Walters has left the club, and indeed the town, in shock.

A father-of-two, Mr Walters, 52, died of a skiemic heart disease on Monday night.

His son and former Alex star Steve Walters hopes he will be remembered as a man who made a lot of people happy and worked hard for both club and community.

"I think he was proud of what he achieved at Crewe," said Steve. "He's done a lot for the whole town and made a lot of people happy. That's the one comforting thing really."

Originally from Plymouth, Chris joined his son at the club in 1991 as their Community Scheme Officer.

"We'd had a number of guys before and I couldn't see any great value in the position at that time as they didn't really work with the club so we weren't going to bother appointing another," recalled Crewe Alexandra manager Dario Gradi.

"The PFA came to us and said 'you should be their boss' but when I came up with Chris, they said we couldn't have him as there were plenty of ex-pros who were looking for jobs.

"I said no, we wanted someone who would actually do the work and in the end he got the job on a trial basis.

"It's been a roaring success since then and he became one of the best guys in the business. He's a hard man to replace."

Steve also recalled his father's first days with the club.

"When he first arrived, there was just a portable cabin and now look what there is. You only have to be at the Soccer Centre on a Sunday. There are hundreds of kids who have the opportunity to play football in good facilities rather than that old astroturf at the ground.

"He's also contributed to the success of the club, managing youth teams in the Northern Ireland competition and looking after up and coming players like Rob Hulse."

Mr Walters interests included wildlife, reading and fishing but Steve says Football was his life.

"He was always greatful to Dario for the opportunity and I think Dario was grateful for the work he put in. Dario must have had faith in him to put him in charge of a centre that cost something like a million pounds.

"He was always there for me in my playing career and along with being my father, he was one of my closest friends."

Mr Walters had been out running on Monday evening and collapsed after returning to his home in Parkers Road, Crewe.

His partner, Carol Gamble, discovered him.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday at St Michael's Church in Coppenhall at 1.15pm.

"Anybody who wants to attend is welcome to pay their respects," said Steve.

A minute's silence will be observed as a mark of respect before Saturday's kick-off at the Alexandra Stadium.

The face of Crewe Alex in the community - Chris Walters.