Mr Buckland: A Tribute to Roy Holmes

The Management Committee of the South Devon Football League would like to join the many members of the football family who have paid tribute to Roy Holmes, the former chairman of Buckland Athletic, who sadly passed away recently.

This tribute and the photograph used in this post was kindly provided by Nigel Holmes of Buckland Athletic

MR BUCKLAND

People often say what is it about Buckland Athletic that is different; the answer would be Roy as he had this knack of creating an atmosphere in which you wanted very much to be involved and a part of. He led from the front with his many jobs he carried out for the club which he revelled in. He seemed to have a tin and red book for each task he carried out and if you raised a question at committee level, out would come the red book and the relevant information given.

His sense of pride and passion for Buckland Athletic, which was there for all to see, was infectious and has rubbed off on so many people.

When Roy became involved with Buckland Athletic back in 1977, no one could imagine what this would lead to.

He managed and coached a group of players who would go on to win many trophies at youth level.

From here he took the same group of players into senior men’s football, with the same success winning promotion and cups along the way.

He then moved into the Chairman’s role and this is when he really pushed the club forward to where we are today.

Roy always had a vision of his ethos of the club…Somewhere you can go and be greeted with a smile and a handshake and know you will always be made welcome

So many people have been influenced by him it would be very difficult to ascertain how many.

As Chairman there was nothing he liked more than having an audience; he would be cracking the one liners and having us all in stiches at functions, committee meetings and on match days.

His willingness to tackle any job at the club over the years has always been amazing: he would mark the pitch, help build stands, groundsman, serve behind the bar, quiz master, treasure hunt organiser, bingo caller, chief pasty taster on away trips, the list goes on…

Roy always had a vision of his ethos of the club as a whole; what you see today is that vision. Somewhere you can go and be greeted with a smile and a handshake and know you will always be made welcome.

Roy was known by everyone in whatever league the club had a team, and I am certain League meetings and games won’t be the same without him in attendance voicing his opinion.

He loved nothing more than voicing his feelings from that area of the patio better known as Moaners’ Corner and I am sure many match officials and players looked forward to their visit to the Homers Heath for this ritual.

He was Buckland through and through and made so many sacrifices for the club putting them first before himself.

This was never more evident than last year at the January 2019 meeting; we all knew about his illness as he had informed us all. The meeting was conducted as normal with Roy keeping us all entertained with his one liners and quick witted answers. As normal we then go to Any Other Business which will always end with Roy; he then gives a speech about what we need to put into place for when he is not here. What he said that night was incredible and there were a few tears from people who attended; at a time he should have been focusing on himself and family, however, he was focusing on Buckland Athletic and the future of the club.

It has been an honour and privilege to have worked with Roy at the club; to have been able to call him a friend has been very special to me.

As I have said, what you see now is Roy’s vision and what we must all do now is continue to uphold his vision and continue in a manner he would approve of.

How can you put into words what Roy meant to the club? Well it’s very simple.

He Was, He Is, He Will Always Be Mr Buckland