David was a well known, and much-loved member of the local football community at Penryn Athletic, who sadly lost his battle with cancer earlier this month.

His life was truly devoted to football, playing for clubs in the local area before successfully managing the bar and the pristine playing surface at Penryn's home ground, Kernick Road, for more than 40 years.

His eye for detail, matched with a persistence for perfection on the turf were widely recognised as he picked up multiple accolades across his tenure with the club.

Awards such as the Regional FA Groundsman of the Year award, the Best Ground in the South and South West, National Groundsman of the Year and Pitch of the Year in the South West League were all presented to David who cherished the playing surface at Penryn.

David Baker receives his award from the president of the Cornwall County FA, Mr Brian Conyon, MBE in 2007 (Image: NQ)

In a statement on Twitter the club said: "Penryn Athletic are deeply saddened by the news the David "Batesy" Baker passed away today. Batesy was Mr Penryn & the loss will leave a huge void at the club & everyone that knew him. Thoughts are with his family at this time. RIP Dave." The club also hosted a minutes silence in memory of Batesy at a recent home match against Threemilestone in the Junior Cup.

Penryn's club president Ken Simmons told the Packet: "He was a driving force in the development of the clubhouse at Kernick after the move up from the industrial estate.

"We all stuck our chests out when he won awards, but one thing he said was how lucky he was that the club allowed him to do his hobby. He was very grateful for it.

"He was a very good organiser, he had contacts throughout different trades, he got work done around and within the club.

"He was totally committed to Penryn AFC and always trying to get income for the club and spent years behind the bar in the kitchen and around the club.

"Dave was one in a million, and I don't think we will see the likes of him again, definitely a one off. He will be greatly missed by all of his friends and family."

A close friend of Dave's Sue Stivey recalled how on one matchday a referee elected to go ahead with a game despite horrendous rain lashing down on the surface.

Dave had protested that it was not playable but the referee ignored the advice and as such the football match left the pitch completely cut up.

Following the full time whistle Sue recalled seeing Dave alone crying in the middle of the pitch at the horrific state it had been left in, before he spent the next three/four weeks replacing every divot by hand to return the grass to its former glory.

Ex long standing Penryn players Ryan Reeve and Russell May also paid respects to Batesy on social media with Reeve saying: "Kernick will never be the same." And May adding that: "The work that man has done for the club will never be forgotten."

His passion for providing prime playing surfaces spanned further than just Penryn as he helped a number of local football club groundsmen with their pitches, including Hayle, Truro City and even arch rivals, Falmouth Town. He often gave advice on how to manage pitches to clubs via the Cornish Soccer Forum.

David's funeral will be held at Penmount Crematorium on Monday, October 3 at 11am.