Oxford City FC director found hanged off stadium roof by three kids who turned up for morning training

A FOOTBALL club boss was found hanged alongside the press box at his own stadium after becoming stressed over the team's financial difficulties, a coroner heard today.

The body of 62-year-old Colin Taylor was found hanged from the roof by three shocked boys who arrived at the club early for a training session.

Mr Taylor was found with a rope around his neck near the Press box at the ground of his beloved Oxford City Football Club by the youngsters who had turned up at around 8am.

The coroner heard that Mr Taylor had struggled with depression since 2006 and was worried about the financial welfare of the non-league club.

He had visited the stadium the evening before his death to check in on a private function taking place and told bar workers he would return the following day to help them clean up.

However when his wife Susan realised he was missing from their home she arrived at the ground to be greeted by the three boys who made the grim discovery on July 17.

Mr Taylor, from Wheatley, Oxford, had sought sponsorship and attended meetings in London with a view to sealing a deal the day before his body was found hanging from the roof of the Charity Stand at Court Place Farm.

During the inquest into his death in Oxford, Assistant Coroner Nicholas Graham heard the pensioner took an early retirement in 2006 and became the managing director following a shake-up at the National League South side.

Mrs Taylor had seen her husband the night before his death and noticed his wallet was left by his chair he had fallen asleep in.

During a statement read at the inquest she said: "Back in 1974 he was hit very hard by the death of his mother and he had stressful work which resulted, in November 2006, in him taking early retirement.

"From an early age he had a passion for football and played for the Oxford City youth team and played into his 30s. He had to stop playing because of a knee injury.

"At the end of 2007 he became more involved with the club after the chairman resigned and under the restructuring he took control as managing director.

"This role made Colin take more and more responsibility. He wasn't paid for it as it was voluntary.

"His biggest achievement was developing the Oxford City Casuals which was a team for people with learning disabilities.

"There were financial difficulties and Colin worked hard to turn the club around. The club still has financial worries and Colin tried to manage those."

Mr Taylor also had a history of deep vein thrombosis and blood clots in his leg for which he was prescribed warfarin but decided not to wear the compression socks he was provided with.

Mrs Taylor added: "Colin deemed his depression as a failure himself.