Ardent York City fan David Coverdale has died suddenly. He was aged 68.

Mr Coverdale, who collapsed while gardening at his home in Dringhouses and died shortly afterwards, was a season ticket-holder for 35 years.

Said Trish Westland, assistant club secretary at Bootham Crescent: "This has come as a very big blow to us.

"David was a lovely man who often popped into the office to see us.

"He really enjoyed his football from his seat in the main stand near the press box, where he sat with his son Richard."

Born in York, Mr Coverdale was educated at St Peter's School before going to Leeds Dental Hospital. He worked with the late Peter Dryland in Gillygate, York, before moving to Aldwark, where he was in partnership with John Russell. He was a dentist for 35 years before retiring in 1992.

A member of Yorkshire Naturalists' Trust and Moorlands for some years, he was also a member of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for whom he and his wife Maureen raised £25,000 between 1975 and 1986 with an annual tombola.

Mr Coverdale was also on the Burrell Homes sheltered housing committee and was a former member of York Golf Club.

The funeral will be at St Edward the Confessor Church, Dringhouses, on Monday, June 4 at 3pm.

Updated: 11:40 Wednesday, May 30, 2001