'Mr Non-League' Tributes paid to popular Wolverhampton Sunday League president Eddie Yardley

In his playing days, Yardley was a goalkeeper who first started playing in the Amateur League in 1962 for Black County Deaf, then St Peters and then the Tettenhall Club which changed its name to Compton, a club he was associated with for 46 years to 2009. 

Yardley, who has been described as 'Mr Non-League', sat on the disciplinary panel at the Birmingham County FA and served a variety of roles with the Wolverhampton & District Sunday League before being named president in 2019. 

A much-loved figure across the local football scene, Yardley also refereed in the West Midlands League and Wolverhampton & District Sunday League general secretary Phil Reade sent his deepest condolences to Yardley's friends and family. 

"He was Mr non-league," Reade said. "It's a sad loss to local league football and he was very well thought of. 

"You can see that by the tributes that have been left on our Facebook page. Referees have left comments, clubs have left comments and even the Birmingham County FA left a comment. 

"His knowledge of the rules and regulations were so superior to many. What Eddie didn't know about the rules and regulations, you could fit on a postage stamp. 

"Eddie was a fair man. He would listen to any mitigating circumstances before dealing with any case. Every case was different to him and he would never judge anybody by the same page. 

"He will be missed by the Sunday League and all who knew him and our deepest condolences go to his family at this very sad time."

The league also named a trophy in his honour in 2021-222, the C.E. Yardley Cup and Reade believes he has left a legacy behind of the highest standard.

"He has left a legacy behind which we will strive to continue to the high standards that he set. It's hard act to follow but I've no doubt we will continue to keep up the good work that Eddie set the benchmark for."