Tributes to Ramsbottom stalwart

14 Mar 2022 By James Gordon

Ramsbottom United are mourning the passing of club stalwart Geoff Lay.

Geoff has been with the club for the best part of 50 years.

He began playing for the team in the early years, and was a competitive and commanding centre-half, standing over six feet tall.

At the end of his playing days, he became a vital member of the club’s committee, helping the Rams to move up from the local Bolton Combination League through to where we are today, in the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

Much of what you see at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium is down to the hard work that Geoff put in. He oversaw the planning and construction of much of the ground.

Geoff suffered illness in his later years, but he returned to the HWRS a couple of years ago as we honoured his achievements by renaming a stand in his honour, and the attached photo shows Geoff proudly standing in front of the structure.

He will be sadly missed by all at the club, and our sympathies go out to his family.

Where next?

Premier Division Round-up: Diego De Girolamo extends Buxton's lead at the top to 4 points Buxton have consolidated their lead at the top of the Northern Premier League Premier Division to four points following their 3-0 victory against Radcliffe at home.