The Cumberland FA has been paying tribute to Les Sharkey, who has died aged 58.
Les, who was commonly known within the footballing community as Ted, was well known to lots of people having fulfilled various roles throughout his long and distinguished involvement with the game.
Ted was heavily involved with Thornhill FC as both a player and behind the scenes.
He was also involved for a long period of time as the press officer for The Cumberland County League and his business sponsored a few local leagues, including the Cumbria Veterans League
However, he will probably be best known for his time as the matchday physio for Workington Reds, a position that gave him great pride and the opportunity to run out onto the pitch at his beloved Borough Park. He was later a director of the club.
Reds held a minute’s silence ahead of their home game with Leek Town on Saturday while the Cumberland County League held a minute’s applause before their games at the weekend.
The West Cumberland Sunday League followed suit ahead of their opening games of the season, and there were similar tributes ahead of Monday’s County Veterans games.
After leaving his physio position with the Reds, and following some ‘gentle’ persuasion from a long-term friend – Fred Conway – who was also the manager of The CFA U18 representative side and just happened to also be the CFA chair, Ted took on the role of physio for the Cumberland FA’s youth team.
This saw him becoming a mainstay of the backroom staff for the U18s side, travelling all over the country for Northern Counties and FA County Youth Cup Fixtures, often accompanied by supplies of mars bars and Lucozade sport that he had taken from the store he ran in Egremont.
His time coincided with what was reported as the most successful period in modern times for the County Representative side, including reaching the final of the Northern Counties Competition in the 2013-14 season.
During his time with the county squad his role was so much more than that of physio. He was a trusted adult who the players could openly and honestly speak to. He was a motivator, speaking to the players on the bench and preparing them for their role in the game ahead.
He was often a peacemaker, defusing situations when emotions could run high, but equally he was on rare occasions instructed to be a firestarter tasked with delivering some ‘constructive feedback’ to the match officials or opposition coaches as, informed by Mr Conway, ‘they aren’t going to send the physio off are they?’
Most importantly he was there, bringing with him his personality, his passion, and his sincerity, making him an indispensable part of creating a positive environment that will have unquestionably impacted so many players across the grassroots game and beyond.
Alongside his role as physio, Ted also became an FA tutor delivering first aid courses for the County FA in line with its Coach Education Programme.
Motivated by his passion for people, he delivered courses right across the county providing vital knowledge to those involved in the game around planning for emergencies and giving them the basic skills to save a life should it be required.
It was something he had to do himself following a game at Borough Park when he provided CPR to a supporter, ultimately saving their life.
Due to ill health, Ted stepped down from his CFA roles and was subsequently made an honorary member of The Cumberland FA, in recognition of his service to the County.
Cumberland FA CEO Ben Snowdon said: “On behalf of The Cumberland FA and the wider grassroots game that we represent, I would like to pass on our heartfelt condolences to Les’ family and friends at this difficult time.
“I was lucky enough to get to know Les, or Ted as I knew him, both within and outside of football.
“To call him a friend was a true honour, but due to his personality I know I won’t be alone in calling him a mate and in feeling this way as Ted was friends with just about everyone he met.
“He was one of the nicest people you ever have the pleasure of meeting…well off the pitch anyway. I do remember that on the pitch he could moan and twine with the best of them!
“Ted had a natural and genuine authenticity about him. He was selfless. It was never about Ted, and he could never see or understand how special this made him.
“He will be truly missed but not forgotten by those who knew and loved him.”
