Alan Hayes
Wed 7th November 2012 | Atherton Collieries | By Ian Templeman
Players, officials and supporters at Atherton Collieries are mourning the death of club physio Alan Hayes, who passed away last Thursday after a short illness.
Colls Secretary Emil Anderson has put together the following tribute to Alan.
'Big Al', as he was universally known, had joined the club at the beginning of the current campaign, working alongside Keith O'Brien. Big Al had become an integral and well loved member of the club in his short time at Alder House and the number of tweets sent in his memory bore this out. These tweets were not just from people involved at ACFC, but from people from other clubs Big Al had served.
Big Al's footballing physio career started in the early 80s in the Newton-Le-Willows area with Vulcan Newton and Newton FC. At the same time he worked with the Warrington Inter League Team, a position he held for 10 or more years.
He joined Dave Hughes, who was manager at Daten FC in the Cheshire League, in early 2004 and followed him to Ashton Town in 2005. This is where Al met Keith O'Brien and they soon became a double act. When Dave became manager at Atherton LR in 2008, Big Al and Keith followed. Around this time Derek Jones, physio at St Helens RLFC, took Alan on as one of their masseurs.
In 2010 Dave Hughes left Atherton LR and joined Runcorn Linnets as Assistant Manager and Glenn Moses took over. While Al was at LR the club played three Goldline Trophy Finals at the Reebok Stadium, winning twice, and also triumphed in the Bolton Hospital Cup at the same venue.
Glenn then left LR and Big Al and Keith joined Steve Wilkes at Ashton Athletic, and when Steve departed Ashton at the end of the 2011/12 season the double act joined Atherton Collieries.
My favourite story about Al while he was at Colls was when League Management Committee member Ian Williams approached him at the side of the dugout. For some reason he asked Big Al to hold his pie while he did something. Ian then went back for his pie and all he got was the tray. Al had eaten the 'growler'. Ian just laughed.
The club thought seriously about requesting a postponement of the last weekend's game at Abbey Hey. However we were told it would be Al's wish that the game was to go ahead. The game was won 1-0, there was a lot of emotion in the dressing room after the game.
As is to be expected Keith O'Brien has been left shellshocked at the Big Al's passing but he has passed on the following words which sum up Big Al perfectly.
“Al was the last of dying breed. He was an outstanding man, who was held in the highest regard by people who knew him. He would, and often did, go above and beyond to help people out.
“I've witnessed Al helping opposition players out when needed, and treating them with the same professionalism he showed to his own players.
“Al made me be a better Physio and was a pleasure to work with. He was a fountain of knowledge and experience, and would always share this with anyone that wanted to know.
“I never had a bad word to say about Al. He will be sadly missed by all. A part of us all is missing.
"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us" - Albert Schweitzer.
“A true friend. Rest easy Al”.
Alan's funeral will take place at 2.30pm on Friday 16th November at St Helens Crematorium.
Picture 1 shows Alan on the pitch at the Reebok Stadium, before one of Atherton LR's appearances there.
Picture 2 shows Al tending to Colls Vice Chairman Mark Riley's Friday night fall injury at Dinnington Town earlier in the season.
Alan Hayes
Wed 7th November 2012 | Atherton Collieries
By Ian Templeman
Players, officials and supporters at Atherton Collieries are mourning the death of club physio Alan Hayes, who passed away last Thursday after a short illness.
Colls Secretary Emil Anderson has put together the following tribute to Alan.
'Big Al', as he was universally known, had joined the club at the beginning of the current campaign, working alongside Keith O'Brien. Big Al had become an integral and well loved member of the club in his short time at Alder House and the number of tweets sent in his memory bore this out. These tweets were not just from people involved at ACFC, but from people from other clubs Big Al had served.
Big Al's footballing physio career started in the early 80s in the Newton-Le-Willows area with Vulcan Newton and Newton FC. At the same time he worked with the Warrington Inter League Team, a position he held for 10 or more years.
He joined Dave Hughes, who was manager at Daten FC in the Cheshire League, in early 2004 and followed him to Ashton Town in 2005. This is where Al met Keith O'Brien and they soon became a double act. When Dave became manager at Atherton LR in 2008, Big Al and Keith followed. Around this time Derek Jones, physio at St Helens RLFC, took Alan on as one of their masseurs.
In 2010 Dave Hughes left Atherton LR and joined Runcorn Linnets as Assistant Manager and Glenn Moses took over. While Al was at LR the club played three Goldline Trophy Finals at the Reebok Stadium, winning twice, and also triumphed in the Bolton Hospital Cup at the same venue.
Glenn then left LR and Big Al and Keith joined Steve Wilkes at Ashton Athletic, and when Steve departed Ashton at the end of the 2011/12 season the double act joined Atherton Collieries.
My favourite story about Al while he was at Colls was when League Management Committee member Ian Williams approached him at the side of the dugout. For some reason he asked Big Al to hold his pie while he did something. Ian then went back for his pie and all he got was the tray. Al had eaten the 'growler'. Ian just laughed.
The club thought seriously about requesting a postponement of the last weekend's game at Abbey Hey. However we were told it would be Al's wish that the game was to go ahead. The game was won 1-0, there was a lot of emotion in the dressing room after the game.
As is to be expected Keith O'Brien has been left shellshocked at the Big Al's passing but he has passed on the following words which sum up Big Al perfectly.
“Al was the last of dying breed. He was an outstanding man, who was held in the highest regard by people who knew him. He would, and often did, go above and beyond to help people out.
“I've witnessed Al helping opposition players out when needed, and treating them with the same professionalism he showed to his own players.
“Al made me be a better Physio and was a pleasure to work with. He was a fountain of knowledge and experience, and would always share this with anyone that wanted to know.
“I never had a bad word to say about Al. He will be sadly missed by all. A part of us all is missing.
"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us" - Albert Schweitzer.
“A true friend. Rest easy Al”.
Alan's funeral will take place at 2.30pm on Friday 16th November at St Helens Crematorium.
Picture 1 shows Alan on the pitch at the Reebok Stadium, before one of Atherton LR's appearances there.
Picture 2 shows Al tending to Colls Vice Chairman Mark Riley's Friday night fall injury at Dinnington Town earlier in the season.
