Trefor Lloyd Hughes, the former president of the FAW, has died at the age of 77, following a short illness.

The Welsh football figurehead had also been involved in local politics, serving as a county councillor for the Trefor and Ynys Gybi wards.

Mr Lloyd Hughes played and volunteered at grassroots level on Anglesey - starting at the age of 15 with his local club, Bodedern - before going onto become secretary of the Anglesey League, the Welsh Alliance and latterly, the North Wales Coast FA.

In 1989, he was elected to the FAW Council and went onto serve several key roles before being elected as president in August 2012, going onto serve in the role until 2015.

Paying tribute, an FAW spokesperson said: "A proud Anglesey man, Trefor devoted more than four decades to developing and supporting the game across the country, earning widespread respect for his integrity, dedication and unwavering commitment to Welsh football."

They added: "His presidency was marked by a calm, personable style and a strong belief in the power of football to bring communities together."

"He remained a passionate advocate for improving local football structures and championed the needs of clubs and volunteers at every level of the game."

Mr Lloyd Hughes was first elected to Anglesey Council in 1995 and again in 2008, representing Plaid Cymru in the Ynys Gybi ward. He went onto serve as chairman of the local authority and the Anglesey Charitable Trust.

A retired ambulance driver, he also represented the Maeshyfryd ward on Holyhead Town Council and also served as the town's Mayor.

Council leader Gary Pritchard said: "Trefor spent his life serving his community in Holyhead as a town Councillor and as a county Councillor, but his first love was football."

"On a personal level I will miss our long conversations about the beautiful game. We never managed to discuss politics for too long before we started discussing the hopes of the island’s football teams or the trials and tribulations of the national team."

"He was very highly regarded, not only in Holyhead and Anglesey, but throughout Wales and beyond. I send my deepest condolences to Janet his wife and all the family at this incredibly sad time."

Former council leader, Llinos Medi, now Ynys Môn MP, said: "Holyhead, Anglesey and Wales have lost a giant of a man."

"He was a dear friend who was always full of advice and I will miss our mischievous and challenging conversations. It was a great privilege to have known such a special person."

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, also Ynys Môn MS, added: "There was no one quite like Trefor. He was an excellent representative of his community, as a Welshman to the core he left his mark through service to his country, especially through his love and dedication to football."

"He will never be forgotten by Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales and everyone who was lucky enough to have know him."

Trefor's work with the FAW saw him spend six years as an official UEFA delegate - which took him to stadiums around the world - until he stepped down in 2019.

He also made a bid to become president of UEFA in 2015 but lost out to former Manchester United chief executive David Gill.

Dylan J Williams, Anglesey Council's chief executive, added: "Trefor was a tremendous character and a true football man who left his mark on both the national and international stage."

"As a politician, he was experienced, astute and always there to guide and help younger elected members. He served his community, the county council, local and Welsh football with distinction for many years."

"Trefor’s passing will be a considerable loss primarily to his family and friends, but also to Holyhead, Anglesey and the whole of Wales. He was a true gentleman, who was always supportive and shared a positive outlook on life."

"My thoughts and sympathies are with Trefor’s family and friends."

Trefor was also inducted into the Gorsedd at the 2007 National Eisteddfod in Mold and in 2016, he was made an OBE for services for football.

The FAW added: "Trefor will be remembered for his warmth, humility and unwavering love for the game."

"His influence on Welsh football is lasting, from grassroots leagues to the national stage, and he leaves behind a legacy built on service and a lifelong dedication to the communities he cared so deeply about."