Shaun Carrick has spoken of how proud he is of his dad, Paul Carrick, an avid footballer whose passion for the game and commitment to his community left a lasting mark on those around him.

Three generations of Carricks: Paul aged 69, Shaun aged 45 and grandson Billy aged 13 (Image: Supplied by Shaun Carrick)

Born in Leeds, Mr Carrick moved to Norwich in 1964 and settled in Hellesdon with his wife, Marilyn, after the couple married in 1965.

They shared 60 years of marriage and raised three children, later welcoming seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

An accountant by trade, Mr Carrick worked for HMRC, then known as Inland Revenue, before joining Boulton and Paul.

After being made redundant by the manufacturing company, he went on to work at St Faith's Crematorium as its manager before retiring in 1999.

Away from work, football was one of his greatest passions.

He joined Hellesdon Football Club as a player in 1968 and went on to serve the club as manager, secretary and chairman.

The Hellesdon FC team pictured here when Paul Carrick played for them (Image: Supplied by Shaun Carrick)

His son Shaun said: "Dad was a Leeds United fan through-and-through but he was so loyal to Hellesdon.

"He played football as a child but he went on to become well-known in the amateur circles."

While Mr Carrick played for the team, from 1970, Hellesdon FC went on to win three consecutive league titles in the starting in Anglian Combination League Division Three.

The team was then promoted to the Anglian Combination Premier, which they won two years later.

Paul Carrick at Wembly Stadium when Leeds United played Southampton in May 2024 (Image: Supplied by Shaun Carrick)

Shaun said: "No football club has done that which is why it still stands as a record.

"In 2020, the club nearly folded and my dad was devastated.

"So he took it upon himself to merge with Dussindale Rovers. The club then became the Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers FC, which is what it's still known as today. They now play in the Thurlow Nunn Division One League."

Following his death, Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers FC also paid tribute to Mr Carrick in a Facebook post, saying: "Everyone at Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers are saddened to hear of the passing of Paul Carrick, who served the club as a player, manager, secretary and chairman.

"Paul was an important part of our club’s history, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and all those who knew him at this difficult time."

Paul Carrick in the dug-out at Hellesdon Recreation Ground (Image: Supplied by Shaun Carrick)

The club held a minute's silence for Mr Carrick at its game on October 31.

But football was only one part of Mr Carrick's contribution to his community.

As a keen follower of politics, he served as clerk to Hellesdon Parish Council before moving with his family to Hevingham in 1986, where he took up the same role with the village parish council.

Mr Carrick served as clerk for more than 35 years across both parish councils.

Mr Carrick pictured here in May 2024 Leeds United fan (Image: Supplied by Shaun Carrick)

In 2002, he was elected as a Broadland district councillor to represent Hevingham, a position he then held for 17 years.

Reflecting on his father's legacy, Shaun said: "I knew he was a busy man but it's only through talking to other people, that I can see how much of his heart and soul he put into what he did.

"People use the word 'legend' too much but so many people have used it to describe him, and I would agree."

Paul Carrick pictured here fundraising money for the club in his Hellesdon FC top at ASDA in Hellesdon (Image: Supplied by Shaun Carrick)

Mr Carrick died from lymphoma on October 20 aged 83.

His funeral is being held at Bluebell Woods in Hainford. Those attending have been asked to wear Leeds United colours in tribute to his lifelong support of the club.