Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
GRASSROOTS GAME LOSES LEGEND AS ‘MR FOOTBALL’ DIESD AT 67
When Les Barleycorn formed a football team at the painting and decorating firm he worked for in 1972, he could not have imagined he would go on to have such an extraordinary influence on the grassroots game.
But over the next 48 years he became known as “Mr Football”, with his passion and dedication for the sport driving its success at a local level.
So his death at the age of 67 after a brave battle with lung cancer has been felt across the district, where he is remembered for both his tremendous contribution to the game and as a much-loved father and grandfather.
The list of his associations with grassroots football in east Kent is nothing short of outstanding, and culminated in him receiving the Kent FA Long and Meritorious award in 2014, and a People’s Choice Award for outstanding contribution to community football in 2017.
He was the chairman of the East Kent Youth League for more than 40 years, chairman of the Canterbury & District League for 30 years, secretary of Bekesbourne FC for almost 50 years and a delegate on the Herne Bay & Whitstable League for 40 years.
But it didn’t always go swimmingly on the pitch, especially during his time as player/manager of Wiltshire Interior Painters & Decorators, known as WIPD FC.
The team suffered a 30-0 loss to White Heathens FC – a result which is still an unenviable ‘record’ score in the Herne Bay & Whitstable League.
But Les had far more success running teams than playing for them.
In 1978, his talent was spotted by the East Kent Youth League, whose committee offered him the role of managing the League U16 Representative Team.
It resulted in three cup final appearances in the InterLeague competition, winning the trophy in 1983. And all the while, Les was also running Bekesbourne FC on both Saturdays and Sundays. Described as a “great friend” by all those involved in the sport, he leaves sons Dan and Stephen and four grandchildren, who he doted on.
He lost his wife, Sue, to the same disease four years ago. Dan said: “We grew up with football all around us so it was inevitable that we would play too. I remember before the days of home computers, dad would have pages and pages of league tables spread across the lounge floor. I think mum was very patient.
“He was also still working as a painter and decorator right up until earlier in the year, when he got the diagnosis in March following a biopsy.” Messages of sympathy and support have flooded in since the announcement of Les’s passing was made on the East
Kent Youth Football League’s Facebook page.
It was posted by friend and league committee member Keith Vaughan, who said: “It would not be an exaggeration to say Les was Mr Football in east Kent. We have not only lost a true football person but also a wonderful friend.” Others commenting describe Les as a “smashing fella” who was passionate about the sport, and credit him with helping thousands of children enjoy football.
Dan said: “It’s been heartwarming to read all those messages and discover new things about dad – he never mentioned that 30-0 loss!” Under his chairmanship, Les saw the East Kent Youth League grow five-fold to 49 clubs, with 356 teams over five age groups and 5,800 boys and girls playing the sport.
It is now one of the leading youth leagues in Kent and possibly nationally.
Les, who lived in Chartham, died last Tuesday.
A small, family-only funeral service is being held on Wednesday next week. “I’m sure there would have been a big turnout in normal times, but that’s not possible,” said Dan.
“Dad was an Arsenal supporter and instead of flowers, there will be a Gunners kit on top of his coffin, which he would appreciate.”
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Les was Mr Football in east Kent. We have not only lost a true football person but also a wonderful friend…