Lasting tribute to club stalwart
OLD Stretfordians are one of the Lancashire and Cheshire AFL’s oldest and proudest member clubs and they are delighted with a special plaque produced to one of their former top club members Bob Ronaldson which has been installed in a memorial tower installed by Altrincham Crematorium in Stretford Cemetery, by the side of Turn Moss playing fields.
The club and Bob played for many years with Turn Moss as their home base and the memorial tower suitably looks over the playing fields.
Strets secretary Malc Kershaw said: “Bob was a very proud Stretfordian and although he played before most of the current players and officials he is remembered by those over the age of 70 as a very good footballer and a great guy.
“I am always telling the lads at the club ‘Once a Stret, always a Stret and Bob is proof of that statement, I would like to convey the club’s deepest sympathy to Bob’s family and thank them for the superb memorial.
“He died in 2017 at the age of 80 and Bob’s link with the Club will last forever.”
Bob’s wife Val added: “I’m amazed and proud at the interest my simple memorial to Bob has caused amongst his many friends and team mates at Old Stretfordians
“Old Strets played a big part in Bob’s life and, as you say, the friendships forged during those years were never broken.
“I acknowledged this when thinking about a little memorial to him and the recent appearance of the Memorial Tower in
Stretford Cemetery gave me the opportunity to include his Old Strets link on the memorial plaque, particularly as the tower overlooks Turn Moss playing fields.
“The memorial plaque was placed on the tower only a matter of a few weeks from when I first applied after the tower was placed in the cemetery
“He died in 2017 but through the memorial I’m sure his family can appreciate that Bob’s link with the Club will last forever.
“He was a handsome man, I was very proud to be Bobby’s Girl!!
“We used to go to the old club house in Stretford years ago, but when the club moved to the Flixton venue Bob could no longer visit as unfortunately, an accident left him wheelchair bound for the last 25 years of his life and there was no access.”
Another Old Stret Alan
Smith said: “Thanks to the efforts of Andy Jackson for the social programme of lunches, ale trails and holidays that that group of players and their wives/ widows still enjoy and which says everything about being an Old Stret.” Pics of memorial Also good news for another L and C club Village
Manchester Football who have been nominated for the Football v Homophobia Awards in the Grassroots Club category by Manchester FA and the ceremony will take place later this month. The shortlisted nominations and keep up with Football v Homophobia on @FvHtweets.