Oxford United assistant manager Mickey Lewis has led the tributes to the club’s highly-respected kitman Ken Ridley, who died on Wednesday, aged 68, after a long battle with cancer.

All the U’s players, who are on a pre-season tour of the USA, wore black armbands for last night’s friendly against Seacoast United, as a mark of respect for Ridley, who was at United for nearly 30 years.

Ridley first became associated with the U’s in 1984 when he worked as a steward at the old Manor Ground before being appointed kitman by manager Denis Smith in 1994, shortly after his retirement from Oxford City Council’s Parks Department.

In 2006, Ridley, who lived in Headington, left his post at United as he battled against liver cancer.

He felt a further series of chemotherapy treatment would make it hard for him to continue doing the job.

He returned a few years later and attended the U’s recent end of season dinner.

But he was forced to leave the club a couple of weeks ago when his health worsened.

“Ken was in Oxford for more than 40 years and loved this club,” said Lewis, who used to lodge with Ridley and his wife Eileen when he was a player.

“He was one of the game’s characters and will be sadly missed.

“He was honest, straightforward and a credit to Oxford United. He was a man with a huge heart.”

U’s chairman Kelvin Thomas added: “We are all stunned and devastated by this news. Ken was part of the scenery at Oxford United and we will all miss him terribly.

“My thoughts go out to his wife and family.”

United’s youth development officer, Les Taylor said: “I was devastated when I heard the news.

“Ken never suffered fools gladly and had a bit of discipline about him, which rubbed off on the club’s apprentices. He was a likeable bloke.

“He will really be missed at the club – it’s a sad day.”

Former United groundsman Mick Moore said: “I was hoping that Ken would come to Joey Beauchamp and Dave Langan’s testimonial, but he was too ill.

“But I made the old players that knew him aware what had happened, and David Rush, Matt Murphy and Mark Angel all went to see him.

“Oxford United was his club.”

Mike Ford, the ex-U’s defender and now Oxford City boss added: “I knew Ken well – I lodged with him and his wife when I moved here from Cardiff City.

“He was very honest and never bore any grudges – he was just a great fella, really likeable. It’s such a shame.”

The funeral arrangements will be made when United return from their USA tour.