It is with deep regret and much sadness that Glasshoughton Welfare have announced the death of their ever popular vice chairman and matchday secretary Barry Bennett.

Barry, who was 74 and was very well respected within the Northern Counties Football League circuit and the Castleford Football Association, passed away on Friday morning after a short illness.

He began his long service to football in 1955 when he started playing at the age of 14 with Fairburn in the Pontefract & District League.

After leaving school, he attended Castleford Youth Club and, as player/secretary, formed a team to play in the Pontefract League.

After a couple of seasons, he joined works outfit Pollard & Philidas, playing in the West Yorkshire League and later taking over as secretary.

A change in career took Barry to Hickson & Welsh Chemical company and, following a short playing career, took over the role as secretary in the Castleford Sunday League.

He was approached by the late Joby Merrick and in 1971 became a member of the Castleford & District FA, serving as assistant manager to the District U17s for a number of seasons.

In 1974, Barry joined the committee of Fryston Colliery Welfare who played in the West Yorkshire League at the time and took over as secretary a couple of seasons later when they entered the Yorkshire League.

Following the demise of Fryston Welfare in 1992, he moved to near neighbours Pontefract Collieries, spending a number of seasons as match secretary before joining Glasshoughton Welfare in the Northern Counties East League.

18 months ago, he was honoured by the Football Association for completing 50 years service to football when he was presented with a medallion and and lapel.

All at the Toolstation NCEL would like to send our deepest condolences to Barry's family and friends and to Glasshoughton Welfare.