Family and friends have paid tribute to a husband, father and sporting legend.

Clive Hamilton, 78, of North Common Road, Uxbridge, died in the early hours of Friday after battling lung cancer.

The chairman of the Hillingdon Sports Council was diagnosed with cancer on September 4, and died at home with wife, Margaret, by his side.

She said: "Thursday was the first time he'd said he didn't want to get up.

"In the night his breathing started to go. I had to call the ambulance but he'd gone by the time they got here.

"All the family are absolutely devastated."

The former Vyners and John Penrose School PE teacher dedicated his life to coaching and helping sports enthusiasts reach their potential, as well as campaigning against the Heathrow Airport expansion.

A keen swimmer, he helped develop the butterfly stroke in Britain and played more than 500 football matches for his school's old boys football team, Old Manoronians.

His wife said: "He was very instrumental in organising reunions. On his second day of treatment, he had radiotherapy in the morning before being dropped off at a reunion for 110 people.

"His energy came from within. He just wanted to be connected with all people. He just loved people."

While working as the organiser of the Hillingdon schools football team, Mr Hamilton, a Second World War veteran, oversaw the development of many players, including Steve Perryman, later a legend himself, for Tottenham Hotspur.

Don Taylor, vice-chairman of Hillingdon Sports Council, said: "He was always keen to allocate funds to improve the facilities in sports clubs and to help young people with sporting potential progress in their career. His work has positively influenced thousands of young people."

Three weeks ago, the Gazette reported how Mr Hamilton was inducted into the Nik Stuart Foundation Hall of Fame, just one of many accolades awarded for his contributions to sport.

His daughter Jane, 47, said: "He was very keen on Holly (his granddaughter) learning to ski.

"We went to Westendorf every year. She'd be skiing and telling her 'pops' to keep up. She loved him very much.

"He had such a community spirit. You couldn't go anywhere without bumping into people he knew, even when on holiday in Cyprus."

On Friday the family will hold a private ceremony at Breakspear Crematorium, before a celebration of his life in the Newton Room at Brunel University, in Cleveland Road, Uxbridge, from 2-3pm, which is open to all.

The family would like to thank everyone for their support, including the staff at Mount Vernon Hospital and the emergency services.

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