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, writes Andy Mitchell.

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 his wife and, to be honest, we didn’t get very far. I couldn’t stop crying,” said Gosport Borough boss 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.”