Tributes paid to grassroots football legend Jim

Jim Blower, of Egerton Road, Bushbury, was a central figure in the amateur game in the West Midlands, having first laced up his boots as a player for Stratton Street YC in the late 1930s.

His involvement in the game would go on to span an astonishing eight decades. He was a long standing member of the Wolverhampton and District Football Combination League, eventually becoming president.

He also presided over the Birmingham County Football Association for a two-year term of office from 2008.

Known as a quiet man whose devotion to football was only matched by his love for his family, Mr Blower lived and breathed the game.

After news of his death was known on Saturday, all Wolverhampton and District Football Combination league matches held a one minute silence before kick-off as a mark of respect.

After leaving Stratton Street in the 1940s Mr Blower joined Oxley FC, then one of Wolverhampton's top amateur sides. He went on to manage the team during a golden era for the club in the 1960s.

It was during this period that he managed to secure the services of talented wing half Stan Crowther, who had won the FA Cup with Aston Villa in 1957 before signing for Manchester United in the wake of the Munich air disaster.

Later in his life Mr Blower also had spells as manager of Northicote Old Boys and the Wolverhampton Amateur League inter-league team.

In 2008 he told the Express and Star of his delight after the historic Wolverhampton and District Alliance Football League Championship Cup was restored back to its old glory after being found in a woman's attic.

Mr Bowler's son, Alan, 57, of St Michael's Lane in Penkridge said he fondly remembered the many times he drove his dad to watch local football games.

"He was absolutely passionate about amateur football. Whether it was a men's or women's game, he'd be there," he said.

"My dad was a very loyal man and worked hard throughout his life to make his family happy."

Eddie Yardley, aged 67, chairman of the Wolverhampton and District Football Combination League, told the Express and Star the death of Mr Blower was a huge loss.

"Jim will be greatly missed by all his friends in the footballing world and leaves a great divide to grassroots football which he so loved and prided himself on being part off," he said.

"Jim held many positions within the league before he became president, a position he was so very proud to hold.

"He was a very quiet man who absolutely loved his football. I was lucky enough to have known Jim for more than 50 years and I can't remember seeing him upset once. He was also a very keen gardener."

Mr Blower's time at the Birmingham County FA, where he was made a lifelong vice president, was fondly recalled by Mike Pennick, 61, finance advisor at the association.

He said: "I knew Jim for 35 years and he was always a dedicated football man.

"His love for the grass roots game came through in everything that he did, he was always trying to give back to the game he felt had given him so much.

"During his time at the Birmingham County FA he was ever present and totally committed.

"We have lost a great man who knew what the true meaning of the game was."

Geoffrey-John Lee, 75, secretary at Wolverhampton United Football Club, said Mr Blower was an 'encouraging' coach.

He said: "Jim was extremely well thought of in footballing circles, because he was a proper football man.

"We met a few times during the period when Oxley FC and Whitmore Old Boys FC joined to make Wolverhampton United.

"He helped out the young players massively because he was always encouraging about football.

"Jim loved the game so much that he only seemed to be able to speak positively about it, which helped make him a great coach.

"He will be missed."

Mr Blower is survived by his wife Evelyn, son Alan, daughters Pam and Maggy and grandchildren.

Mr Blower died on February 7 after suffering a stroke.

His funeral will be held on February 27 at Bushbury Crematorium West Chapel at 1.30pm.