Today is a very sad day- Our friend Roy Hinde was laid to rest! Royal London old boys turned out at his funeral to bid him farewell.I was unable to attend because of a work commitment, but my wife Mary, Frank & Dianne Hill,along with Royal London Football Club Manager, Ken Spence and Dave and Cas Wiley, with Geoff Knight, all turned out for his funeral in Gnosall, Staffordshire.
Roy was a guy that would always have a trick up his sleeve, always had a real wicked line in banter!
All of us that played under Ken ( our Manager) at Royal London Football Club, all were subject to his ‘wit’ and ‘pranks’ at some time or another! Ken Spence in his ‘Treasured Memories’ manuscript that he recently wrote, about the Sunday League in the 60’s and Seventies’. In recollecting some of the moments we all had with Roy and his Mom & Dad. The whole family Hinde played a part in our football club in those early days.
With Roy’s dad fondly called by his nickname ‘Alf’ running the Royal London ‘B’ team! We have all got some treasured memories. In his manuscript Ken writes about Roy saying “Roy Hinde out of Prestwood Road Wednesfield joined us as a 14 year old,” I hadn’t realised that Roy was that young when he joined our footballing greats at Royal London.
I feel desperately disappointed that I missed the ceremony. But we all have our own thoughts of Roy, the football team, and the fun we all had together. I am sure Roy would have been smiling at the turn-out of his old footballing mates. Rest in Peace Roy you will never be forgotten!
