FORMER Bristol Rovers chairman Geoff Dunford has died aged 66.

His family announced his passing last weekend and Rovers issued a statement to say they were ‘saddened’ by the news.

Geoff Dunford and his father Denis were credited with saving Bristol Rovers when they were in a desperate financial state in the 1980s and moved them to Twerton Park in Bath before the club found its’ way to The Memorial Stadium where they currently play.

Geoff Dunford was involved with Bristol Rovers for 28 years and was chairman between 2004 and 2007 after succeeding his father.

He was with the club when Rovers went to Wembley in 1996 for a third division (now League Two) play-off final against Huddersfield Town which they lost 1-0.

But one of the best results for Rovers while Geoff was involved was when they beat arch rivals Bristol City and secured promotion to the first division (now the Championship) in 1990.

Geoff resigned from the Rovers board in 2014 and he was made Life President in 2015.