A POPULAR Burnley Football Club cleaner whose pride and joy was polishing the trophy cabinet at Turf Moor has died aged 76.

Betty Finnerty, of Brunshaw Road, worked for the club for a number of years after a stroke forced her to leave her full-time job at Dexter Paints.

Her family described her as a rock' and an avid Burnley fan who loved her work at the club.

The former Sandygate and Heasanford pupil was married to Jack for 47 years, though the couple had known each other for more than half a century.

Daughter Lynda, of Holcombe Drive, said: "Betty was a devoted, loving and much-loved wife, mum and nana who was the rock upon which our close-knit family centered and she left a lasting impression of what families should be.

"Our grief knows no bounds and her sudden and tragic death has left a space no-one could ever fill.

"She loved her work at Burnley FC and the cleaning and polishing of the trophy cabinet was her pride and joy."

Betty, who had two daughters, Lynda and Karen, and four grandchildren, Louise, Graeme, Daniel and Kian, was also closely involved with Sion Baptist Church and with Burnley boys and girls brigade.

She travelled the country with the brigade band. She was also an agent for the Claret and Blue bond collecting twice a week for the scheme.

Burnley FC business operations manager, Chris Gibson, said: "Betty was one of the most popular figures around the club.

"Her life revolved around Burnley and nothing was ever too much trouble for her.

"She will be sorely missed by everyone connected with the club and our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to her family at this time."

Betty's funeral will be held on Thursday with a walk-past Burnley FC to Sion Baptist Church at 1.40pm and then burial at the crematorium.