ARTHUR Brown, a director of York City Football Club when they reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1955 and a former York and Yorkshire Golf Union president, has died in York District Hospital, aged 88.

Mr Brown, who had suffered from respiratory and heart problems for some years, was born August 1913, near Bolton Abbey and was educated at St Lawrence's School and Archbishop Holgate's School, York.

He spent the whole of his working life at the old established York firm of Isaac Poad and Sons Ltd, grain merchants in Walmgate on the site now occupied by the Evening Press.

He began work as an office junior on December 3, 1929 and worked his way up to become chairman and managing director.

He became the first Yorkshireman for 40 years to be elected president of the National Association of Corn and Agricultural Merchants Ltd in 1968.

Mr Brown spent a large part of his life playing and following sport.

He was a founder member of Cliftonville Football Club in York. The club achieved national fame in 1948 when they won the national Sporting Record under 18 trophy beating North Down, Plymouth.

Cliftonville produced many good players over the years, notably Mick Granger, David Dunmore, Colin Addison and Barry Jackson, who all went on to play for York City.

He was a director of York City from 1954 to 1970 when he resigned because of ill health, having suffered from asthma for much of his life. He was a regular guest in the City directors' box in recent years and up to his final illness six weeks ago.

Mr Brown was also a member of Fulford Golf Club having joined in 1943. He was captain in 1964 and president from 1991-93. He was president of York Union of Golf Clubs in 1974 and president of Yorkshire Union in 1985. He was a past member at Easingwold GC.

Mr Brown was also keenly interested in boxing after joining York Sea Cadets in 1943 following a spell in the Royal Navy from where he was invalided out after an Atlantic ditching.

He began a boxing club at York Sea Cadets and became sports officer of the York Navy League Sea Cadet Corps.

Under his guidance, York took the Northern Counties Navy and Army Cadet Championships in Birkenhead, Mr Brown being in the corner for every bout.

Mr Brown, who lived in Fulford, is survived by his wife Kitty, to whom he had been married for 62 years. The funeral will take place after Easter, but arrangements have not yet been announced.

Updated: 11:51 Wednesday, March 27, 2002