BARLA were informed on Saturday 4th May that former BARLA Board of Management Member and BARLA Life Member Roy Sharples
86yrs old had passed away whilst watching the game he loved rugby league.
BARLA’s thoughts are with Roy’s family, friends and all those who knew him inside and outside the sport and all our thoughts are with them.
Roy was a stalwart of the amateur game and began watching the game with his dad from the age of ten watching the Vine Tavern.
In 1981 Roy became involved in the newly formed side Thatto Heath ARLFC after being invited by Saints legend Frank Barrow to become secretary of the club which had great success in winning the BARLA National Cup in 1987. The club continues to this day under the guise as Thatto Heath Crusaders ARLFC encompassing Mens, Ladies, Youth and Girls teams.
Roy became a member of the St Helens District League and invited to be the secretary part of the BARLA Lancashire Committee enjoying that for many years before standing down from that side of the amateur game.
Roy was passionate about the game especially his Thatto Heath club, in 2005 he became a member of the BARLA Board of Management giving his lifelong experience and opinion to BARLA for the good of the game; in 2006 he was made a Life Member of BARLA which was very proud of.
During BARLA’s 50th Anniversary last year Roy was invited as a guest to its BARLA Youth & Junior National Cup Finals and was thrilled and proud to accompany BARLA Chair Sue Taylor MBE to meet and greet the players before one of their finals.
BARLA Chair Sue Taylor MBE,
“BARLA were saddened to hear of the passing of Roy a great stalwart and a follower of the amateur game for over seventy five years and our thoughts and condolences are with Roy’s family, friends and all those he knew him within the amateur game and outside it.
“He was true gent and a pleasure to see him last year following BARLA’s invite for him to attend the BARLA Youth & Junior National Cup Finals and he reminisced of his time and people he knew and met within the amateur game.
“That day Roy also accompanied me onto the field to meet and greet the players of both sides who were preparing to meet in one of those finals and he looked thrilled to be asked
and enjoyed the day as a whole before presented with souvenirs celebrating BARLA’s 50th Anniversary.”
Steve Manning
BARLA Media Manager
.png)
