TRIBUTES have been paid to a well known Stretford doctor who died shortly before Christmas.

Dr Fred Grubb, 77, was a GP in a three doctor practice in Bennett Street, Stretford, before illness forced his retirement in 1990, after 26 years practice.

Fred was born in Dundee on May 12, 1937. He was an accomplished footballer and was one of five players signed from St Mary’s Youth Club in the summer of 1955, by Dundee United making his debut against Greenock Morton in the Scottish League, on April 18, 1956, playing centre half.

He graduated from St Andrews in 1961, and following a brief spell in general practice near Chesterfield, he settled in Stretford.

Whilst there he did variety of other medical jobs including medical officer for British Steel, Kelloggs, Lancashire County Cricket Club which included Test matches and at Greater Manchester Police.

He was a keen follower of Manchester City and he and his wife Carol were members of Lancashire Cricket Club. Dr Grubb and his family lived in Sale.

A former colleague Dr Anthony Freeman described Fred as the perfect colleague.

He said: "Fred was first and foremost a truly magnificent doctor. He did not pontificate or spout facts,but he got on with the job of looking after his patients with great care.

"Since I knew him he made no errors and missed nothing. He was very keen on dermatology and I frequently asked his advice. On one occasion he actually asked my opinion and acted on my comments but that was just once in 23 years!

"I was absolutely devastated when he had to retire and it was a real loss to the practice. However we remained friends and met regularly for the last 24 years. Throughout I have regularly been stopped and asked about him by many patients who thought the world of him."

Dr Freeman added: "We got on very well as partners. We could disagree about practice policy but both respected the others opinion and never fell out .With me following United we had some really good banter and the following of different teams meant we could arrange out off duty so as we could each see our own team."

Dr Grubb is survived by wife Carol, daughters Linda and Karen and son Eric, brother Terry, and his grandchildren Rose, Brian, Grace and Thomas.

The funeral service and committal will take place at Altrincham Crematorium tomorrow (Wednesday, January 7), starting at 10.20am. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu to Parkinson’s UK. All enquiries to R.E.Jones Funeral Directors, Sale, Tel: 0161 973 1536.