Allen Bethel - A Personal Tribute From Dave Hampshire

It is with great sadness that we learned today of the passing of Mr Allen Bethel, The Founder, driving force and former Chairman of Stocksbridge Park Steels FC who passed away in the early hours of this morning. Everybody at Penistone Church Football Club would like pass on our condolences to Allen’s wife & family and of course everybody involved with Stocksbridge Park Steels FC.

Our club secretary Dave Hampshire talks fondly of his relationship with Allen -

“Having heard of Allen Bethel’s passing I would just like to say a few words on behalf of Penistone Church Football Club.

Having been secretary here, for 35 years you obviously get to meet a lot of good people through grass roots football, and Allen is one of those people.

Whenever I needed advice with anything Allen was someone who I would contact and he always made time to help me, talking for what seemed to be hours sometimes.

When we joined the NCEL the first person to phone when he heard we were joining was Allen inviting me and Jim to go over and have a chat, regarding finance and all things football at a higher level.

What he told me and Jim helped us enormously during the first few years, and I am ever so grateful for his help.

Allen became a very good friend of mine and no matter where we met he would always take an interest in how we were doing.

His parting words were always you know where I am if you need any help, and he meant it.

I knew Alan was suffering with dementia and one thing I’ll always be glad of, was the last time I saw him he remembered me and we had a chat and a laugh together, and I’ll treasure that.

The world and especially football & of course Stocksbridge Park Steels has lost a very special man , and all of us involved at Penistone Church send our condolences to them and to Allen’s family. “

RIP ALLEN.