AUSTIN MOURNS RULES MAKER

KIDSGROVE Athletic boss Ryan Austin says he is “devastated” by the death of one of the club’s youth coaches, who inspired teams to ‘keep sport fun’.

Russ Powell, 38, had terminal cancer and wanted to spend his final few months promoting enjoyment and fair play.

His philosophy, dubbed Russ' Rules, encouraged post-match handshakes and taught youngsters not to gloat after winning a game.

Powell, who the coached Kidsgrove Athletic Ravens team, estimates that his rules had been adopted by 2,000 clubs around the world from afar afield as New Zealand and Italy.

Austin, the former Burton Albion centreback, for one, was impressed with his methods and says the club as a whole will miss Powell’s input.

"It was just how positive he was as a person, knowing what he was going through, not letting him affect him but also tried not to let it affect people around him," he said.

"Obviously it is times like this that football gets put into perspective and it is important we keep Russ's Rules going as long as possible."

When launching the rules in May, Mr Powell said: "Me and my partner, we have always gone by a philosophy with our children that as long as they do two things we'll always be proud of them.

"That is, that they try their best, and they have fun doing what they do, and that philosophy should flow into children's football as well."