TRIBUTES have been paid to former Macclesfield Town FC goalkeeper Nat McKinstry who has died, aged 93.

Nat made 100 appearances for Macclesfield between 1947-1950.

He was between the posts for the Silkmen’s famous victory in the Cheshire League Challenge Cup final in 1948.

The great-grandfather, of Queens Avenue, Macclesfield, continued to support the club and attended home games as much as he could.

Nat died in hospital on November 23.

His funeral takes place on Monday, December 14 at St Alban’s Church at 1pm.

Macclesfield Town fans used Facebook to paid tribute to Nat.

Clare Flynn said: “Such a lovely kind gentleman! Nat always had a massive smile for you. He will be massively missed by our family and everyone at St Alban’s church.”

Trevor Surtees said: “A thoroughly nice guy, a regular visitor to Moss Rose.”

Lee Banks said; “He was such a nice man always had time to talk. R.I.P Nat.”

Peter Lynch described him as “a true gentleman”.

John Cooke recalled meeting Nat at a reunion celebrating Macclesfield’s FA Cup match at Fulham a few years ago, adding: “It’s a sad loss and I offer my sincere thoughts to the family at this sad time, what a lovely man.”

Nat was originally from Ireland.

He played for Aircraft United, Larne and Glentoran before being selected to represent an intermediate League team against Drumcondra.

He moved to Macclesfield in the 1940s.

It took just two reserve team games for the Silkmen for Nat to be promoted to the senior side where he became the first choice keeper.

After three successful seasons at the Moss Rose, Nat moved Mossley and later helped out at other clubs when they were short of a goalkeeper.

Outside of football Nat worked for the gas board for 33 years before retiring.

Nat was married to Bessie and had two children Jane and Jonathan, who went on to become a successful film art-director working on hit movies including Empire of the Sun, Total Recall, Alien III, Mission Impossible, Love Actually and Prince of Persia. In 2013 Nat visited Jonathan on set while he filmed hit TV series Penny Dreadful.

Nat was also a grandfather to John, Sarah, Sabrina and Lucia and great-grandfather to Jack.