Tributes from across football have continued to flood in for the former Carlisle United owner John Courtenay.

The Irish businessman, who owned the Blues from 2002-4 after rescuing the club from the dark days of the Michael Knighton era, died last weekend aged 70.

United plan to hold a minute’s applause for Courtenay at the first game when fans will be allowed back into Brunton Park.

The Football Association of Ireland were among the organisations to pay tribute, with the Schoolboy FAI also praising Courtenay’s dedicated sponsorship of the grassroots game.

Clubs in Ireland, such as Shamrock Rovers, also benefited from Courtenay's support and said he would be a huge miss.

At United, meanwhile, former kitman Andy “Bushead” Horn has joined those fondly remembering Courtenay, whose funeral was held this week.

He said: “It was John and Roddy [Collins] who gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to work at the club I supported, and it was without a doubt the best job I’ve had in my life.

"So many ups and downs on the Carlisle United rollercoaster that could only happen at Brunton Park.

“John was so good to me and my family, without him I would not have met all the wonderful people that came in the Brunton Park dressing room, people around the club and indeed the whole football industry.

“This was all down to John and Roddy. I can’t thank you enough, John.”

Horn added: “One of the many memories I had of John was his lightning power naps. When I collected him on his trips over to Cumbria, he would recline the seat, shut his eyes for no more than five minutes and wake up and say, ‘That’s me good for another 12 hours’, and boy was he true to his word!”