Blues in mourning for former chairman

EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Frickley Athletic are mourning the loss of former chairman Mick Twiby.

At the helm from 1982 until his battle with diabetes led to his retirement in 2001, he passed away last Wednesday night aged 71 and is survived by his wife and two sons.

The Premier Division club’s officials said they were saddened to learn of their former chairman’s passing in a statement released on Sunday recounting his long association and service at Westfield Lane during the most successful period in their history.

Mr Twiby is pictured at a reunion in his honour and the club wrote: "Introduced to the club by his father Eric who had served on the club’s management committee in the late 1940’s, Mick was elected onto the management committee of the then Frickley Colliery FC in 1970 when Frickley entered the Midland League. He became vice-chairman of Frickley Athletic in October 1981 when he replaced Arthur Whitehurst.

"The following September Mick took over as chairman after Bill Sykes retired from the position. By then Frickley were established in the Alliance Premier League and Mick was elected onto the League Management Committee of the Gola League as it was then called in June 1985.

"The following year Mick was re-elected onto the League Management Committee, topping the poll, but he was forced to step down in 1987 following Frickley’s relegation to the Northern Premier League.

"Mick remained as chairman of Frickley Athletic until being forced into retirement in 2001 by his battle with diabetes. He chaired the club during its most successful period in its history when the club finished as Gola League (Conference) Runners-Up in 1985-86 and also reached the FA Cup Third Round for the first time in its history, beating a Football League club (Hartlepool United), also for the first time in its history.

"During Mick’s chairmanship Frickley appeared in the FA Cup First Round Proper on eight occasions - 1971-72, 1973-74, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87, 1988-89 and 2000-01 – appeared in the Second Round Proper twice – 1984-85 and 1985-86 - and the Third Round Proper once in 1985-86.

"Also during Mick’s reign the club won the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup on five occasions and had four players, Gary Hooley, Paul Wilson, Paul Shirtliff and Russ Wilcox, play for the England Non-League side.

"Away from football, Mick ran a newsagent business on Westfield Lane in South Elmsall, which he took over following his father’s death in 1964. He is survived by his wife Pat and his two sons Lee and Paul."

The Blues expect to announce the date and arrangements for Mr Twiby's funeral this week.

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