Warrington Town mourn death of club president Eric Shaw

WARRINGTON Town Football Club is mourning the loss of club president Eric Shaw, who has died at the age of 86.

Eric played for the club in two spells in the 1960s and 1970s, before serving on the club’s management committee for more than three decades in a variety of roles.

That included many of the unseen jobs that every non-league football club requires dedicated volunteers to undertake, such as groundskeeping, washing the kit and even helping out at training.

His presence in the social side of the club was always felt, Eric being a keen dominoes player and story teller with an infectious laugh, and in his later years although health prevented him attending as many matches as he would have liked, he enjoyed watching the Yellows from the balcony area of the clubhouse.

Eric was part of the backroom staff when Warrington Town played at Wembley in the 1987 FA Vase final, and was part of a Civic Reception held at Warrington Town Hall for the 25-year reunion of players and staff in 2012.

The club has confirmed that a tribute will be paid to Eric at their next home match, the FA Cup tie against Curzon Ashton on Saturday September 16.

Long-time Yellows supporter Jerry Liversidge paid his tributes on the club’s independent supporters’ trust social media channels. He wrote: “Without him, it is probably likely we would  not have our Club. He was the one person, that united the warring factions (social and football).

“My deepest condolences to his Widow Beth, Son Billy & his family. In my thoughts.

“On a personal note, I have a lost great friend, in factor Mentor, also my domino partner. RIP Eric.”

Eric is pictured above with late England World Cup winner Roger Hunt and members of the Warrington Town team that reached the second round of the FA Cup in 2014, as well as current club kitman Jon Barton.