ALEX Pike led the tributes to “father figure” Nick Jennings, his right-hand man during Wimborne Town’s FA Vase triumph.

Jennings, a winger who achieved legendary status at Portsmouth with 50 goals in 227 appearances, died suddenly over the weekend at the age of 70.

At the end of a professional career in which he made more than 400 appearances during spells at Plymouth, Pompey, Aldershot and Exeter, he worked as a probation officer, a role which saw him cross paths with Pike during his time in the police.

Jennings later took the Magpies hot seat and stayed on as general manager when Pike stepped up from being his assistant with the duo inspiring a Wessex League, FA Vase and Dorset Senior Cup treble in 1992.

“I spoke to to his wife and to be honest, we didn’t get very far. I couldn’t stop crying,” said Pike.

“He was a legend in the true meaning of the word. I was running a Bournemouth Division Five side and I got him to play for us in 1978.

“My dad died at an early age and Nick wouldn’t mind me saying he became a surrogate father to me. He treated me brilliantly in football and in life. I will always be indebted to him because he was always there.

“The only reason I am where I am today is because he stuck out his neck when he resigned as first-team manager.

“He told Brian Maidment (then chairman) he didn’t need to look for another manager, that I was ready, even though the only experience I had at that level was as Nick’s assistant.

“We won the treble and I did that because I wanted repay Nick’s faith in me. He always had faith in me and I will never forget it.

“He was always sensible and level-headed. Nothing seemed to fluster him and as a manager, I found that frustrating at times. He never had the highs or the lows and I think I learned that from him.

“He was the embodiment of treating people the way you would want to be treated yourself and he taught me an awful lot.

“We would often go out for a drink and he would come down to watch Gosport. He would still be there to give his advice whenever I needed it. So many of us will have many great memories and he will never be forgotten, that’s for sure.”

Poole Town manager Tom Killick, Wimborne’s two-goal hero at Wembley, added: “Nick was one of those rare people who had both elements you want in football management. The players had a tremendous amount of affection for him but also respected his expertise in the game.

“With the career he had, he was someone we all looked up to. His partnership with Alex was quite formidable and Alex would readily admit Nick was his mentor when he was new to it all.

“He was a major part of the success we had but with Nick, it was much more than that. He built such good personal relationships with everyone, particularly the players.

“From a personal point of view, he became a good friend as well as a manager. I had dealings with him in his work life and saw quite a lot of him.

“He was a lovely man and socially, he was great company.”