OXFORD City managing director Colin Taylor had 'worried' about the financial state of the club and was found hanged just hours after a meeting to secure new sponsorship, his inquest found.

Mr Taylor, 62, who had volunteered at the club for 20 years and was dubbed 'Mr Oxford City' by supporters and staff, was found by three children who had turned up to a training session at the Marsh Lane ground on the morning of Sunday, July 17.

An inquest into his death yesterday revealed he had become depressed in the months before his death and was worried about the club's finances.

His wife Sue told Oxford Coroner's Court he had been to London the day before for a meeting with a potential new sponsor.

She said: "He had worked hard to turn things around and get the club back on track.

"He was very private about his depression, only a few people knew, and he saw it as a failure in himself.

"He attended a meeting in London with potential sponsors for the club on the Saturday and went almost immediately to watch Oxford City play against Chesham.

She added: "But when I saw him later that evening he said the meeting went well."

Mrs Taylor said after visiting the club for a private function it was holding, he returned home and the couple watched TV together before he fell asleep in his chair.

When she woke up on Sunday morning he had gone and left his phone and wallet at home.

She drove to the ground and three boys told her they had seen his body, and said she was 'in shock'.

In September the club avoided liquidation after being summoned to the High Court after paying off an outstanding tax bill at the last minute.

The club revealed it was in talks with three or four potential investors to turn its fortunes around.

In December 2015 American businessman Thomas Guerriero resigned as director after being arrested for his role in a $6.6m telemarketing fraud and in May he was jailed for more than 12 years.

At the time of his departure the club's chairman insisted it would have no financial impact on them apart from loss of sponsorship.

Mr Taylor's GP Elizabeth Cope told the court Mr Taylor he began suffering from depression in 2006 due to stress from his work as an accountant.

He has been taking medication since but other than a 'depressive episode' in 2006 which forced him into early retirement did not visit the doctors again until February this year.

Sharon Smith, who was working at the club the night before Colin died, said she had agreed to meet him on Sunday at midday following the club's function.

She said: "He had been dealing with some financial difficulties with the club but Colin gave the impression he was not concerned about it.

"He would say he was waiting for a few things to come together, like sponsorship."

She added that he seemed 'grumpy' on the night before his death.

Following his death, managers, players, coaches and friends paid tribute to the man who had promoted 'all-inclusive' football at Oxford City and grown it as a community club.

Club chairman Brian Cox set up a book of remembrance to Mr Taylor which has since been filled with messages for 'Mr Oxford City'.

Oxfordshire Coroner Nicholas Graham recorded a conclusion of suicide and said Mr Taylor had a 'huge impact' on the community and that this would be his lasting legacy.

Oxford City Football Club declined to comment.