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Keith Johnson - Club President

Keith Johnson - Club President

Paul MacDonald29 Jun 2016 - 19:09
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We are sad to report our Club President, Keith Johnson, passed away on June 26th.

Sadly we hear of the death of a fine Mirfield man Keith Johnson.

Hundreds of young people have derived great benefit from playing football at Battyeford Sporting Club and carried the spirit of the Club on into their lives. A Club that was fondly known as Stan's Club being founded by Stan Rowlands in 1973 but was nurtured and came of age under Keith Johnson.

Keith was spotted by Stan, not for his footballing skills, but as a leader and someone with a vision; who had the skills to bring order to a Club of 250 youngsters. Keith was a tower of strength and soon put the Club on a firm footing achieving Community Club Charter Standard allowing football to flourish both for lads and lassies from 6 years to Open Age.

He was tireless in his efforts to improve the Club facilities , fundraising, forging links with Kirklees Leisure Services, West Riding County Club Football Association, National Football Foundation and local businesses.

His efforts were finally rewarded with a National Football Foundation Grant for £350,000 and substantial sums from Kirklees MC and Mirfield Town Council allowing him to build a fine new Club House at West Mills, Battyeford which opened in 2008.

During Keith's time as Chairman of BSC he gathered good volunteers to help run the Club so when he stood down as Chairman in 2008 he left the Club in good hands.

However, his services to the Club didn’t end there. He was elected as Club President and became a Trustee continuing to troubleshoot any difficulties that arose right to the end of his life.

We owe Keith a great debt of gratitude but his legacy lives on in Battyeford which in many eyes is the finest Club in Yorkshire with a membership of nearly 400 players maintaining high standards across all aspects of sport and in the Ethos of the Club.

Liz Higgins

Founder member BSC and Trustee

Keith's funeral will be on Friday July 8th 2PM at St Marys Church, Mirfield and hope many club members can attend.

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