FRIENDS and co-workers of the former Bolton Wanderer’s manager and assistant George Mulhall have paid tribute to the “brilliant” man.

The 81-year-old’s funeral was held in Huddersfield last Friday and the service was packed with footballing faces saying goodbye to the legendary figure.

Mr Mulhall presided over some of the most important periods in the club’s history, serving as a coach and assistant to Ian Greaves between 1974 and 1978, while Peter Reid, Sam Allardyce and Roy Greaves were all part of the team.

He would go on to become manager of the Whites, as well as taking over at Bradford City and finally Halifax Town, who he helped to get promoted get back into the football league.

Alf Davies, aged 78, who worked as commercial director for Bolton between 1975-1988, said: “George and Ian Greaves were a superb partnership. George was a brilliant coach and a great influence.

“He was terrific, and he came back when the club needed him. I often wonder what he would have been able to do if he hadn’t left in the 70s.

“He was a very knowledgeable man on football and he was passionate and well-respected coach. I think he was just a wonderful football man.”

During Mr Mulhall’s time as assistant to Ian Greaves, the club achieved promotion back to the top of the English football pyramid following a difficult period which saw them drop down as far as the third division.

Mr Davies explained: “In that era, after Jimmy Armfield had set us off, we had some unbelievable success. There were some very good players but they needed some great managers and coaches.

“There was definitely some magic between George and Ian. He was not only very good but he was also very well respected by everyone at the club and even by the opposition.”

Former Bolton captain, Roy Greaves, aged 71, who worked closely with Mr Mulhall, added: “George was just great. He was the coach when we got promotion to the first division.

“I think the supporters should know how important he was to the players and to the club. He really helped the team to achieve what we did.”

After beginning his career as a player at Aberdeen, Mr Mulhall went on to register 253 games with Sunderland, playing as an outside-left.

He also gained caps at an international level with Scotland before moving to Halifax where he became a coach and then manager.

After leaving Wanderers in 1978, Mr Mulhall came back to the club in March 1981, he began as assistant to Stan Anderson but would take the reigns full time by June.

Unfortunately, the club was in a difficult financial position at the time and he resigned his post a year later.

A spokesman from Bolton paid tribute to the former boss, explaining that the club tried to feature him in the matchday programme for the now-famous final game of last season against Nottingham Forest.

They said: “Bolton Wanderers were saddened to hear of the passing of former manager George Mulhall and acknowledged his impact on BWFC in a special article on the official club website and social media platforms after learning of his death.

“Unfortunately, due to print deadlines, the obituary was not able to feature in the matchday programme for our final game of 2017/18 against Nottingham Forest.

“We will however place it in the first edition of the programme in our upcoming 2018/19 Sky Bet Championship campaign.

“The thoughts of all at BWFC remain with George’s family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time.”

Mr Mulhall died in late April this year after contracting sepsis during a spell in hospital. He is believed to have suffered with Alzheimer’s.