Noel White tribute

I have deliberately left one welcome – arguably, if Gary will permit me, the most important of the night, until last.
This man’s playing career extended to one game as non-playing reserve for Chester away to Accrington Stanley.
Off the field was a very different matter. Together with is business partner Peter Swales, he rescued Altrincham Football Club from the verge of bankruptcy.
By the time he left them 25 years and a fortnight later, the Robins were arguably one of the biggest names in non-league. He spent the next 20 years at one of the biggest names in the professional game – Liverpool FC
Many of you will know this. What many of you might not know is that our president, Noel White, was one of five architects of the Premier League and the game as we know it today. It’s an achievement for which Noel and he fellow visionaries receive scandalously little credit today.

"Over a 40 year period at the Football Association, Noel was one of the primary movers behind the creation of what we know today as the National league System. Back in 1976 he joined the Football outside the Football League committee (which he later chaired) and its successor, the Pyramid of Football Committee. He was instrumental in helping introduce automatic promotion and relegation with the Football League in 1986.

"There can’t be too many former NPL club chairmen who have been closely involved in the appointment of four England managers. Who have served UEFA. Or who have been introduced to Nelson Mandela.

For many years Noel has served as President of the Northern Premier League. Ladies and gentleman would you please join me now in raising your glasses to a truly remarkable man – Mr Noel White. Who is accompanied tonight by his wife Jean, daughter INSERT NAME and grad daughter INSERT NAME
Thank you.