A football fanatic is stepping down after serving for 50 years on the Barnsley Football Association.

 

Terry Downing, 84, has been presented with a specially inscribed Barnsley FA medal to honour his retirement from the executive committee.

 

Terry, of Meadow Crescent, Royston, was elected in the 1962-63 season and was made vice president in 1981. In 1994 he was made life vice-president.

 

After 15 years of service he was given a clock by the FA and after 20 years, the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA presented him with a tie to mark the achievement.

 

Terry, worked at Wharncliffe Woodmoor pit for 23 years before moving to South Kirkby, lacing up his football boots outside of work.

 

As a keen footballer he played left half - midfield, or left back. In his youth, he played at Oakwell twice - once in 1940 for Raley School in the School League Final and once for Royston Youth in the Under 18s Hemsworth League.

 

Terry also enjoyed a successful spell with Carlton United including winning the Junior League in 1958.

 

He went on to play for Woodmoor Sports and, while there, the club snapped up ex-Barnsley FC goalkeeper Harry Hough.

 

His arrival coincided with the flat back four defensive system, which Terry says was very successful as they didn't lose a match. But they did not win too many either.

 

Terry has many fond memories of his playing career and remembers away days to Jump in particular.

 

"When I was playing you could go and play the rougher teams - Jump, Ryhill, Athersley," He said

 

"Sometimes if you played at Jump you had to get your clothes and jump on the bus straight after."

 

Terry was presented with the medal on June 4 at the football association's awards dinner to celebrate all the successful Barnsley teams last season.