Tributes pour in for popular Billy

Billy Grogan

TRIBUTES have flooded in for much-loved football coach and former publican Billy Grogan, who died on Sunday.

Billy (69) of Dalton Street, Failsworth was taken ill on Saturday and died the next day at North Manchester General Hospital.

The grandfather-of-six helped found Failsworth West Junior Football Club.

Mr Grogan was born in Tullamore, County Offaly, in Ireland, but moved to Ardwick when he was eight and Failsworth when he was 25. He originally worked as a computer wireman at Ferranti, and travelled Europe with his job before becoming a publican 30 years ago, during which time he ran the Streetbridge Inn and the Bricklayer’s Arms.

An ardent Manchester United fan, Mr Grogan started to run junior football teams in the mid 1970s when his original club, Failsworth Tigers, was formed. In recent years, he established Failsworth West Junior Football Club, which runs 11 teams for children ranging from the under-6s to under 12s, and was still a member when he died.

His daughter Joanne Keight (42), said: “He was a football fanatic and set up the clubs so anyone could join, regardless of cost.

“He was a really lovely man with a great sense of humour, very generous and genuine.

“He loved his family first and football a close second. We loved him and it is nice to know other people did too. His legacy lives on and he definitely left his mark.”

Mike Thorpe, recently appointed club chairman at Failsworth West Juniors, said Mr Grogan was one of life’s amazing as yet unsung characters, a true sportsman who always put the happiness of children to the fore. He said: “He had time for everyone, and everything he did in his life was to help them.”

He is survived by wife Marion, daughters Paula and Joanne and their mother Florence, and grandchildren Hayley, Chris, Lydia, Georgia, Grace and Niamph.

Friends have set up a memorial group on the social networking site Facebook entitled “RIP Billy Grogan”.