AFTER more than 60 years’ service to one club, a Warrington football stalwart was recognised by the FA on Saturday.

Ted Stubbs first donned a Padgate St Oswalds shirt aged 16, and having turned 77 this year he is still a prominent figure at a club who merged with Greenalls in 2003.

Members of the current squad, Ted’s old teammates and his family gathered at Tetley Walkers Sports Club to surprise him with the award after Greenalls PSO’s Guardian Cup win over Matthiola.

“I didn’t know anything about it,” laughed Ted, whose roles at the club have ranged from player, to secretary and reserve team manager.

“Even when all my mates and family were there, I thought it must be for someone else – I never twigged!”

Warrington Guardian:

Ted Stubbs with his FA award

Ted was part of the Padgate side that won the Guardian Cup in 1965, his highlight of an astonishing 40-year playing career.

“My greatest memory as a player would have to be winning the Guardian Cup final in 1965,” explained Ted, who now lives in Fearnhead. “I scored the winning goal!

“We were 2-0 down to Ashton Town at Rylands, if I remember rightly. We came back and luckily enough I was able to get the goal.

“I was playing right wing that day, back when they played with wingers, then I moved to a centre forward and eventually into midfield later in my career.

“I played my last game in 1994. I wasn’t playing regularly, but I was 56 then. I then coached the reserve side with Brian Hughes.

“I say every year it’s my last, but then I get started and I’m at it again!”

Warrington Guardian:

Greenalls PSO chairman Ken Magill paid tribute to Ted at the ceremony, where the 77-year-old was handed the FA’s 50 Years’ Service Award – despite it arriving a decade late.

“We were delighted when the FA agreed to award Ted this much-deserved accolade,” he said.

“Ted first played for Padgate St Oswalds, Ossies, when he was 16 so he has been associated with the club in many roles for 60 years.

“Ossies merged with Greenalls to form GPSO in 2003 and although I knew of Ted and indeed played against him a few times when I played for Orford Rovers as a lad, we only got to know him properly from 2003.

Warrington Guardian:

Guardian Cup win reunion

“I have been associated with open age football for nearly 50 years and have met, played for, and under, some top class blokes, but, without a doubt the best guy I have ever had the honour of working with is Ted.

“He has an unassuming manner, is modest and unflappable. He has the rare gift of knowing what is to be done and doing it; no fuss, no fanfare, no problem – he just gets on and does it.

“Some people tell you what they’re going to do and don’t do it; some people tell you what they’re going to do and do it, Ted just does it.

“It’s safe to say without Ted the name of Padgate St Oswalds and their history would be lost.”