Tributes come flooding in for true non-league legend
Midlands non-league football is in mourning following the death of Wednesfield FC legend Robert Morris.
Morris, who served the club both in the dugout and the boardroom, had a huge influence both on and off the field during a decorated career in the amateur game.
His death at the age of just 62 has left his family and many friends devastated.
“It has come as a huge shock to everyone,” said current Wednesfield manager John Griffiths.
“We have lost a local legend. It just won’t be the same without him.”
Former Wolves captain Karl Henry was among those to pay tribute to Morris, more commonly known by his nickname Moggsy, when news of his death emerged.
The scale of affection for the father-of-two was further demonstrated last Wednesday evening when Wednesfield opened the doors of their Amos Lane ground in order for friends to pay their respects.
More than 500 turned up, those from the non-league game leaving shirts and scarves in one goalmouth as a tribute.
Morris, who also had spells as boss at Great Wyrley and Darlaston Town, had spent the past few years as general manager of Wednesfield after stepping up from his role in the dugout, effectively acting as chairman of the football club while also running the clubhouse.
His career on the touchline had begun in the Wolverhampton Sunday League with Harvey Plant and continued through Lucas Aerospace, Ounsdale and Wednesfield Albion.
At Darlaston he won the West Midlands League Division One title, while the JW Hunt Cup is another competition in which he tasted glory.
"I think you would struggle to find a more decorated non-league manager in this area," said Griffiths. "He was our equivalent of Alex Ferguson.
"It is not just the things he won but the impact he had on so many generations, helping to bring new managers through, myself included
"If you needed an idea of how many people's lives he touched or how much he meant you only needed to be at the ground last Wednesday. So many came to pay their respects."
“In our non-league world he was a legend,” said former Wednesfield manager Dean Gill. “There are thousands of lads playing football in and around Wolverhampton who will have known him and had their careers influenced by him.
“There is probably no-one else in Wednesfield to have such a positive impact on so many lives.
“Football was his passion. He loved it. Whenever you went down to the ground you would always find him there, watching a game, whether it was the under-8s, under-9s or the adult team.
“During my time managing Wednesfield he was a huge help. You could always depend on him, he was always straight with you and he always knew what to say and when to say it. He will be sorely missed.”
An accomplished darts player, Morris also made regular appearances in the local leagues.
Wednesfield plan to eventually move the scarves and shirts inside the clubhouse. Two separate online appeals, set up by friends, have already raised more nearly £8,000 toward the cost of his funeral.
“It is difficult to put into words the impact he had, or what he meant to people,” said Griffiths.
“I first got to know him when I played for his Wednesfield team. The last 18 months he has given me an opportunity to be manager and treated me like a son.
“He was the best mentor I could ever have wished for. He had an ability to make you feel 10 feet tall. You always knew when he was in the room. He was full of joy and laughter and everyone loved him.
“The number of phone calls and text messages we have received since last weekend has been overwhelming.”
