Celebrating the life of Holbeach United player Wayne Delahoy

The life of a key player in one of Holbeach United’s most successful periods will be celebrated at the club next week.

Wayne Delahoy was aged just 61 when he died earlier this month.

For the Delahoy family – which was a big part of the football club during the 1980s – it has been a devastating period, with Wayne’s sister Kim Penney also passing away recently.

Central midfielder Wayne was part of the Tigers team which famously made it to the first round of the FA Cup in November 1982. The ‘home’ tie against then Division Three side Wrexham was switched to Peterborough United’s ground.

Wayne was just 18 at the time but had an outstanding performance. Although the match ended in a 4-0 defeat in front of more than 3,000 spectators, it gave special memories to all who played in or watched it.

Two of the people in the crowd that day were Dale Allwood and Dean Stevens.

Dale had become friends with Wayne at what was then known as the George Farmer School in Holbeach. There was a couple of years between them but they were both in Sandringham house.

They went on to play together in a successful Tigers Under-18 side, Wayne being only 16 and Dale just 14.

Dale said: “Wayne had tenacity. He’s someone you would want in your side.

“He always gave 100 per cent and was a motivator.

“As a friend, he was sincere and a good laugh.”

Dale added: “His death is very sad for a lot of us. Football was our life. It was a football family and you would certainly put Wayne in that category.”

Meanwhile, Dean says the loss of his friend to cancer is all the more cruel because of his young age and how he had kept himself fit, including completing an Ironman triathlon (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run).

“Wayne was always very athletic,” said Dean. “At primary school, while the rest of us were learning to swim 25 metres he was already doing half a mile.

“He always ate healthily and never went out drinking too much.

“He enjoyed getting up early to walk his dog. Since he’s been gone there have been a few times when I’ve not fancied doing my early morning run.

“But I make myself do it because I know Wayne would’ve love to have done it. I draw on that.”

A very touching moment for Dean and his younger brother Mark happened in April at the funeral service of their father “Bushy”, another Tigers stalwart. Wayne had been in hospital having tests and had reluctantly told the brothers that he wouldn’t be able to attend.

However, they were delighted to see Wayne at the service, having only just left hospital.

“That was the kind of guy he was,” said Dean. “He played under my dad in the Bettinsons team too and thought a lot of him so he was determined to be at the funeral.”

Wayne also had spells with Boston Town and Long Sutton Athletic.

A wake is being held at the Tigers Social Club on Thursday, July 3. This will follow a funeral service at St Mary’s Church, Long Sutton, at 1.30pm, and a committal service for close family at South Lincs Crematorium in Surfleet at 3pm.

Donations to St Barnabas Hospice in Wayne’s memory can be made at the funeral service or via +-Morris and Haynes at 34 Fleet Street, Holbeach.