WDFL shock as Larry Looby resigns

THERE was much shock in Wicklow and District Football League circles this week in 1996 when the news broke that long-serving honorary secretary Larry Looby had resigned from his position in the wake of the appointment of three new members to the committee.

‘The County Wicklow and District Football League was stunned this week following the shock resignation of long-serving honorary secretary Larry Looby,’ read the story on the back page of this week’s Wicklow and Bray People papers published on Thursday, July 11.

‘All 45 clubs throughout Wicklow were informed of his decision when a letter circulated explaining Looby’s reasons for relinquishing his position.

‘The League’s chairman, Tommy Earls, learned of his colleague’s intention when he was notified by Looby during a telephone call and immediately asked him to reconsider.

‘Looby stated in his letter that he resigned from the Executive Committee of the Wicklow League following the co-opting on to that committee of three new members.

‘Michael Conlon, Paddy Kelly and Tommy Byrne were appointed at a meeting held on July 1 to decide the positions of officers.

‘Looby felt that all recruits to the Executive should be drawn from those with extensive experience with a club affiliated to the Wicklow League and that members of the Executive had been aware of his views for some time.

‘However, 5(b) of the League’s rules states that no representative of any club affiliated to the League may be a member of the executive committee.

‘Earls said this week that the League was saddened to lose such a hard-working member as Looby who served for 16 years as chairman, registrar and secretary.

‘Jim McLaughlin has been installed as acting secretary but several clubs are hoping that Looby will reconsider,’ it added.