VETERAN Cherries trainer and physio John Kirk died peacefully at Poole Hospital on Tuesday, aged 86.

Known fondly by his colleagues at the club as Captain Kirk, he worked at Dean Court for 30 years after being brought in as assistant trainer by Reg Flewin in 1963.

Born in 1928 in Farnworth, Bolton – a keen footballing community – Mr Kirk began his playing career as an apprentice at Bolton Wanderers, following a junior stint at Rochdale and voluntary service in the RAF during the Second World War.

Many of his friends growing up played for Bolton at the same time, such as Ralph Banks and his brother, England star Tommy.

It was also the era of 1950s superstar Nat Lofthouse, who made a presentation to Mr Kirk at a testimonial game held in his honour at Dean Court in 1987.

After a few years with Bolton, Mr Kirk moved down south to play as a professional with Poole Town FC, where he was known as ‘Johnny’ Kirk. At that time he supplemented his football income with a summer job as a groundsman at Dean Park cricket ground.

When injuries brought an end to his playing career after a few years he worked as a trainer, while his son John was a ball boy. He married Phyllis in Poole and they were together for 50 years until her death 12 years ago, with John their only child.

Mr Kirk moved from Poole Town to Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic as assistant to trainer Arthur Cunliffe in 1963, and was promoted to full trainer in the early 1970s by John Bond.

One of his proudest moments was assisting Harry Redknapp to take the squad to Division Two in 1987, during his 25th season at the club, only a few years after he had himself successfully managed the reserve team to become champions of the fiercely fought Football Combination tournament.

Another proud moment was the famous victory over cup holders Manchester United in 1984.

His last season with AFC Bournemouth was under Tony Pulis in 1992-3, but he stayed on for a while to ease the transition and after his retirement, among his happiest times were regular visits to watch his team play from the back of the main stand alongside his son John and grandson Robert. He also leaves his granddaughter Amy.

He became a well-known face at Branksome Park Bowls Club, where he was well looked after by the club’s members in his later years.

He was a humble man who was proud of his work with the Cherries and other clubs, and he was well known for his sense of humour, which included fez-aided impersonations of Tommy Cooper, and an impression of cricket commentator John Arlott which was so uncanny he was once called up for a performance on BBC radio.

During his career he was responsible for training many players, among them George Best during his brief stint at the club in 1983.

There will be a minute’s applause for Mr Kirk before the friendly against Southampton this evening, which kicks off at the Goldsands Stadium at 7.45pm.