Carlisle United Football Club

Powell, 96, was the oldest serving coach in the world when he announced his retirement from football just three years ago whilst still part of the staff with Team Bath.

He was awarded an MBE for his services to the sport in 2007 and he picked up his medal from Her Majesty the Queen [pictured here] at Buckingham Palace in 2008.

"Ivor was and still is a highly respected man in Carlisle and beyond," chairman Andrew Jenkins said. "He was the first manager to get us promoted and that was because of the way he did things.

"He was brought in to add a bit of toughness and steel to the way things were done. It was felt at the time that some of the previous managers had been a bit too soft in their approach and he definitely addressed that. He signed a number of players, the likes of Peter McConnell, Reg Davies, Jack Marsden and Terry Caldwell, and these lads added a new depth to the way we played.

"I think I speak on behalf of everyone at the club when I say that we are very sorry to hear this news. He was a fantastic servant for Carlisle United and to football in general."

Long-serving captain Peter McConnell, signed from Leeds by Powell in the early 60's, said: "Ivor was as straight as they come. If he had something to say, he said it. It didn't matter who you were - chairman, director, player or staff - he spoke his mind and I think everyone respected that.

"I knew him from Leeds when he looked after the junior side and he was responsible for getting me from the reserve side into the first team set-up over there. He was a hard task master but he got the best out of the players with the way he handled his job.

"He was a good, good man and I'm very sad to hear this news."

The thoughts of everyone at Carlisle United are with Ivor's family and friends at this very sad time.