Eric Whalley Clitheroe FC legend dies Clitheroe Football Club would like to pay tribute to its most successful football manager ever, Eric Whalley, who died over the weekend. Eric was a larger than life character, who assembled one of the best non-league teams in the North in the early eighties. Winning a unique treble of North West Counties League Division 3, 2 and 1 titles in consecutive seasons, as well as securing the club’s first Lancashire Cup success for decades between 1982-85, he assembled a squad which would form the bedrock of countless successful North West teams for years to come. With inspirational leader Mick Ashcroft at the heart of the defence, he grafted on stellar talents such as Martin Eatough, Clive Dunn, John Taylor and the incomparable Steve Mullen, to carry everything before them. Eric knew how to defend a lead away from home and how to annihilate teams at Shawbridge, where at one point the Blues never tasted defeat in more than two seasons. Even when he moved to rivals Accrington Stanley and transformed their fortunes as well, he was a regular visitor to Shawbridge, helping out where he could with players and taking time to talk to the fans who had supported him in the early years. A North West sportsman through and through, Eric epitomised the dedication required to succeed. Not a man to be trifled with, his loyalty to his players and clubs was legendary. Clitheroe FC extends its deepest sympathy to his family. He will certainly never be forgotten at Shawbridge.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Jul 2014 09:12:09 +0000
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