Tributes Pour In For Teanby

[FF News]

Tributes have been paid to Roy Teanby, former chair and vice-chair of the Sunday League, following his death at the age of 84. Here, TONY PARROTT recalls Mr Teanby's 27-year involvement with the local league and pays tribute to a 'long and valued servant and great friend'...

IN his early footballing days, Roy Teanby, at age 17, was selected to play for the England Under-18 amateur team, but opted instead to sign professional papers for Grimsby Town.

He played for the Mariners' A Team before leaving to complete his national service as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) in the RAF.

After his time in the forces, he had subsequent spells with Scunthorpe United, Peterborough, Skegness Town, Brigg and Louth United.

Roy spent a long time at Louth, fulfilling many of the club's roles and managed them for five impressive years.

He finally made his first move into local Sunday football when he was nominated in the 1974/5 season as vice chairman and this was duly ratified.

The following season, there was a shuffle of the committee as Steve Leggett resigned as secretary and so Roy took the chair, Steve became vice chairman and I took over as secretary.

Roy kept the position as chairman for 11 years until he had his first heart attack.

This was in the league's Jubilee season, which was celebrated with a Speakers' Evening at the Winter Gardens.

Ex-England centre-forward Nat Lofthouse, FA secretary Graham Kelly, international referee Keith Hackett and Liverpool manager Bob Paisley were all in attendance.

As the league was celebrating that night, Roy was being treated in hospital for his heart problems and his absence was felt.

Obviously, Roy could not continue with his hectic football life and he agreed to relinquish the position of league chairman to take on the role of vice-chair, which would be a lighter load to bear.

He did continue with his Lincolnshire FA (LFA) duties as area delegate and did an excellent job in keeping all the local leagues informed of LFA matters.

Eighteen years ago, Roy's sterling work was recognised when he was elected chairman of the Lincolnshire FA, which became a limited company during his reign.

The organisation at Lincoln developed greatly during this period to cope with the modern demands of the game such as football development, charter standards and child protection.

Roy stood down as vice-chair of the Sunday League in 2001 after completing 27 years in office, and was duly elected a life member.

In 2006, he received his award in recognition of 50 years' service to football from the Football Association, which was well- deserved and he was rightly very proud.

Roy was a long and valued servant to the Sunday League which, as an organisation, more than proved its worth over the years.

He was a strong disciplinarian and did not suffer fools gladly.

Roy will be greatly missed for his vast knowledge of the game, but he will also be missed as a great friend.

As a mark of respect, a minute's silence will be held before every game in the South Bank Alarms Grimsby Sunday League this weekend.

Funeral arrangements

A service to commemorate the life of Mr Teanby will be held at Grimsby Crematorium on Wednesday, January 28 at 11.40am.

Leave your own tributes on our website at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport

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