Sad News - Arthur Yates

[DJ]

It’s with sadness that I report the death yesterday of Arthur Yates, a great helper to the club over many, many years. Until recent seasons, Arthur (together with Fred Birch) did all those vital, behind-the-scenes jobs that kept the Grove ticking over – cleaning changing rooms, tidying up after games, working on ground improvements and retrieving match balls from neighbouring properties. Arthur was a very cheerful character, always welcoming and kept himself very fit, running half-marathons well into his old age as well as taking part in the many annual sponsored walks over Clent, organised by former Chairman Ron Moseley. I don’t have Arthur’s exact age, probably late 80s but I believe he was involved with the club from pre-Vase winning days in the early 1980s and certainly contributed greatly to the transformation of the Grove from the mid 1980s onwards. Many will have fond memories of growing up at the Grove with ever-present Arthur and may recall an anecdotal tale of his encounter with a lady sunbather whilst retrieving a match-ball from a neighbouring garden.

I also believe Arthur’s daughter Marion is married to legendary Yeltz striker Geoff Moss? There will be a minute’s silence for Arthur before tonight’s home game against Belper - your usual respect would, as ever, be much appreciated.

[RobYeltz]

RIP Arthur. Very sad news. Glad to see there will be a minutes silence.

[dazzlingdazza]

RIP Arthur.

[Laurel Lane Lamper]

Very sad news to hear. The last time I spoke to Arthur was a few weeks ago at Withymoor Sainsburys. RIP.

[JohnC]

When I started back in 2004 I remember he used to hurry us up out of the ground as we dawdled after clapping the players off. There were two men and one wife I think they had a mini metro.

R.I.P. and thank you for all you did for our club.