TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular football goalkeeping coach and furniture salesman who died after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Ben Scott, aged 42 from Ferndown, was taken to Bournemouth Hospital and placed on life support.

He was unable to recover and died in hospital on Monday, September 24.

Ben’s partner Faye Millington said he left behind an “amazing legacy” and the messages since his passing had been “overwhelming”.

“People had a lot of admiration for him,” Faye said.

“He was a gentleman, such a loving person, who has left an amazing legacy behind him.

“Ben was considerate and just an incredible person. He had a heart of gold.”

Ben had been involved in local football for many years and worked as a furniture salesman at Ferndown-based company David Phipp.

He was most recently associated with Hamworthy United, acting as the club’s goalkeeping coach, and Queens Park Athletic, where he was chairman for several years. He was also widely known for his work with goalkeeper coaching set up Between the Sticks.

Ben, whose son Jacob shares the passion for football, dedicated a lot of his time to raising money for Macmillan and other cancer charities after friend Mark Samson died from the disease aged 50 last year. This included raising £500 through the Football for Cancer match in June this year.

“The response from people has been overwhelming,” Faye added.

“I knew how much Ben did and how many people he was involved with, but his parents did not realise the breadth of people he reached, which was just incredible.”

Ben had a cardiac arrest at work on Wednesday, September 19, and after being supported by colleagues and paramedics he was taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

He did not regain consciousness and was sedated by staff.

Ben’s condition did not improve and he died on Monday, September 24.

A date has not been set for his funeral, but Faye said the wake will take place at Hamworthy United.