Tributes paid to former Football League chief

TRIBUTES have been paid to David Burns, the chief executive of Manchester’s Chill Factore and a former boss of the Football League.

Mr Burns has died aged 52 after battling stomach cancer. He leaves his wife Jane and their two children.

He made his name during a 13-year stint at Airtours UK Leisure Group, which later became the MyTravel Group and has since merged with Thomas Cook.

In 2000 Mr Burns joined the Football League as chief executive and since May 2007 has been a director at Altrincham Football Club.

After leaving the League he became managing director of the Travelsphere group and was appointed chief executive of the Chill Factore ski and leisure complex in Manchester.

In a statement Altrincham FC said: “David joined the Altrincham board in May 2007 and made a major contribution to the football club through his financial expertise and exceptionally sound business acumen.

“The thoughts of everyone at Altrincham FC are with Jane and her family at this sad time.”

The Football League said: “The thoughts of all David’s former colleagues at the Football League, and all those from the football world that worked with him, are with David’s wife Jane and their two children.”