Former Wycombe Wanderers player and “loyal fan” Dudley Kipping has died after falling at his home in High Wycombe.

The son of Wanderers’ 1931 FA Amateur Cup Final hero Jim Kipping, 87-year-old Dudley, who lived in Wordsworth Road, died in hospital.

Along with his brother Rowley, he tried to emulate his father’s goalkeeping feats and played reserve team football at Loakes Park, but he became better known as a referee, being awarded a long service medal for 50 years of service by the FA in 2007.

He was also president of the Wycombe Referees’ Society for 40 years before handing over to lifelong friend Bill Cleere in 2006.

The Wycombe Wanderers Ex-Players Association said the church played a “huge” part in the life of the Kipping family, with Jim a Deacon and Sunday School teacher at the Union Baptist Church and Dudley – the proud owner of his father’s vast collection of medals – playing the organ there for 68 years.

Rowley died in 2008 but Dudley supported the Chairboys, visiting Adams Park regularly until just a few weeks ago with daughter Sheryl, and occasionally his other daughters, Jan and Michelle.

Jim, who was a dental technician at Dudley Baker’s in the town before running his own shop in Bowerdean, died on June 27, 1985, just three months after his wife Minnie.

Dudley was also a well-known shopkeeper, running the Kipping and Wood Store in Naphill for many years.

His death comes after another former player, Cyrille Regis, died in January this year aged 59.

The Wycombe Wanderers Ex-Players Association paid tribute to Dudley, along with ten other members the club has lost this year, at their annual dinner at Adams Park on November 23.