Albert Jones paid tribute to his father today saying: “He touched so many people’s lives. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He did a lot of work for the local community and he loved football. It was his real passion.”

Gorleston’s first team manager Richard Daniels said: “In sport the word legend is used too freely. Only so many people can be called a legend. Jimmy Jones is a legend.

“If it wasn’t for Jimmy there wouldn’t be a Gorleston Football Club. There are a lot of people behind the scenes who also work very hard but if you cut Jimmy Jones in half he’ll be green inside.

“It’s the end of a big era. He was a loveable guy who lived and breathed Gorleston Football Club. The feedback from the players today has been phenomenal – there is quite a lot of devastation among the players.”

Mr Daniels said that a match this weekend against Cambridge Regional College has been cancelled as a mark of respect.

He added: “We have been lucky enough to make the final of the Norfolk Senior Cup at Carrow Road and are due to play Thetford Town on May 14. We have got an incentive to win it for him. It is just a sad day he will not be at Carrow Road to see us play in the final.”

In a statement Norwich City Football Club said: “Everyone at the club has been saddened to hear of the death of former Norwich City director and vice-chairman Jimmy Jones MBE at the age of 73.

“Mr Jones died at The Heart Hospital in London after a long battle against illness and leaves a widow Jane, son Albert, daughter Elizabeth and six grandchildren.

“He became a director of the club in the early 1980s and made a huge contribution, working closely with chairman Robert Chase during the most successful era in the Canaries’ history, when they finished in the top five of the top flight three times, reached two FA Cup semi-finals and qualified for the UEFA Cup.

“Mr Jones who ran Yarmouth’s Pleasure Beach for many years, was also a committed supporter of grassroots football and of course Gorleston FC in particular, where he was life president.

“The thoughts of everyone at Carrow Road are with Jimmy’s family at this sad time.”

Roy Blower, president of the Independent Norwich City Supporters Club and associate director of Norwich City Football Club, said Mr Jones was a “great character” who would be sadly missed.

“He was a larger than life character and what you saw was what you got with Jimmy,” he said. “There were no thrills or spills.

“He was a great character and he will be sadly missed by lots of people who supported football clubs. From his family’s point of view we feel very sorry for them losing the figurehead of their family.

“Jimmy was at the football club during a very turbulent time but he was a character and I pay tribute to his contribution to our football club. Without him and Robert Chase at that time the football club could have sunk. It is just a sad day.”

Gorleston FC has received many tweets @gorlestonfc from other clubs, players, ex-players and people involved in local football today offering their condolences.

A page on the club Forum has also been opened up for people to leave any messages of sympathy. This can be found at http://www.gorlestonfc.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1354&page=1#6034