TRIBUTES have been paid to Bridgwater ‘coach, mentor, friend and the nicest person you could ever hope to meet’, Luke Buckingham who died yesterday afternoon following a battle with leukaemia.

Luke was the manager of Bridgwater Town’s reserve team and a coach at Bridgwater College’s Team BC.

A statement released by the club’s reserve team this morning said Luke ‘passed away peacefully’ on Wednesday afternoon.

The statement said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that our manager, Luke Buckingham passed away yesterday afternoon following his fight with leukaemia.

“Luke was not just a manager - he was a coach, mentor, friend and generally the nicest person you could ever hope to meet. 

“Please mourn by remembering all the good experiences you have shared with Luke, as well as living your own life through the inspiration that Luke has given us all.

“Luke Buckingham will never be forgotten. RIP.”

An event held in August to fundraise for the popular Bridgwater man, raised £35,864.50 for charity.

The Bucks Big Bash was held on August 29 and organised by a group of Luke’s close friends.

The all-day bash included a charity cricket match, a band, a barbecue, hogroast and raffle with a range of donated prizes such as a signed England and Arsenal shirt and holiday cottages in France and Austria.

Ben Kirk, Luke’s best friend, said after the event: “It was an amazing day and really incredible to see so many people supporting Luke.

“A group of us went to Las Vegas in May and when we returned, we discovered the sad news that Luke had relapsed with leukaemia again so we decided that we had to do something.

“We started planning the big bash in early June and the event went so well.

“It helped Luke to have a restful night on Sunday and the money aspect is secondary because Luke was so happy on the day and that’s what matters.”

Luke and his wife Holly decided to split the total raised between Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, the Anthony Nolan Trust and ward nine at Musgrove Park Hospital.

The Somerset football community has united to pay tribute to Luke, with hundreds of tweets being posted this morning.

Bridgwater College’s sports department, Team BC tweeted: “To the man who made #TeamBC - we thank you.

“What you built we will make stronger in your memory. We are #LukesTeamBC.”

Middlezoy Rovers FC tweeted: “On behalf of all at Middlezoy RIP @lukebuckingham - a top man! #footballfamily”

Taunton Town tweeted: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Luke Buckingham who has sadly passed away.

“A minutes silence will be held on Saturday #RIPLuke

The Somerset Football Association said: “RIP @lukebuckingham What a man. Football loses a great ambassador, mentor, GK, coach, manager. “Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

He was in the Bridgwater Town Reserves dugout on October 3 to watch their 3-0 victory over Saltford.

Leave your tributes below.