A very talented goalkeeper in his youth, ex Helsby Grammar School pupil, Terry originally played for the Helsby BICC Football Team, before making the conversion to rugby. Terry quickly gained a reputation as a tough tackling inside centre and became a regular in the Helsby Team of the 1980s - one of the most successful period's in the club's history.

Terry's career in the Energy industry saw him posted to Australia during the 1990s, however, upon his return to his hometown village at the turn of the millennium he resumed his playing career in the back-row - impressing a new, much younger generation of the club's players with his tenacity and commitment, which belied his age. As was often commented "Terry would put his head where other players wouldn't put their feet!".

By now retired, Terry threw himself into working for his local community and over the next twenty-five years would work tirelessly for the village, serving as a Parish Councillor and a governor at numerous local schools in addition to fulfilling various roles at Helsby Community Sports Club and Helsby Rugby Club. Serving as Treasurer and Chair of the latter for several years, he also played an instrumental role in establishing the Rugby Club's fledgling Junior teams in 2003. He was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2017. Serving on the Exec Committee and Board of Helsby Community Sports Club - a post he held with distinction for almost a decade - he was a leading figure in the project to establish a new clubhouse, which came to fruition in 2021 when the club opened it's doors in it's new home on Callender Way.

The clubhouse offered a new lease of life to the resident sporting sections, which in the last four years have gone from strength to strength - a focus in particular on Junior sport has enabled a new generation of children to learn a love of sport which Terry himself shared so much.

Helsby Community Sports Club stands today as a fitting legacy to Terry O'Neill - and to the dedication and devotion that he demonstrated to his local community. His passing will leave a huge hole in the village and he will be greatly missed by those who knew him, worked with him and loved him. Our thoughts and prayers go to his wife, Margaret, his children Julie, Stephen, Mark and Jamie, his grand-children and his sister, Tina.

Terry's funeral will take place at St Paul's, Helsby on Tuesday 24th June at 12.00 noon followed by a reception at Helsby Community Sports Club. The family have requested no flowers but would welcome donations to Pancreatic Cancer Research and thank everyone for their many cards and kind sincere condolences.