Tributes have been paid following the death of former Stoke City forward Steve Ford at the age of 66

Ford featured for Stoke City in the top division during the early 1980s after being spotted while playing for Lewes in Sussex, where he scored 35 goals in the 1980/81 season. He made his first-team debut aged 22 in a match away at Wolves in November 1981, as Stoke battled relegation under manager Richie Barker.

Despite interest in his potential, Ford was allowed to complete the final year of his PE teaching diploma at Brighton College while pursuing his opportunity in professional football. At the time, he spoke of his ambition to play full-time, praising the club for supporting his studies.

Coach Tony Lacey described Ford as a natural athlete capable of becoming a prolific goalscorer, though he acknowledged the challenges of adapting to full-time football. After leaving Stoke, Ford went on to play for Stafford Rangers, AEL Limassol and Finn Harps.

However, his most significant impact came away from the pitch. In 1990, he helped establish Brighton & Hove Albion’s football-in-the-community programme, working from modest beginnings before helping it grow into a nationally respected initiative. He spent 23 years with the club before later roles with the Millwall Community Trust, Sussex Cricket Foundation and Grace Eyre Foundation, and also developed an international soccer programme in the United States.

Brighton director Ray Bloom paid tribute to Ford’s lasting influence, praising his vision and dedication to using football as a force for good. Ford is survived by his wife Rachel and son Harry.