Cumberland FA have led the tributes to Lee Jenkinson, a player and official, who has died suddenly at the age of 40.
Lee, known affectionately by many as Bazza or Baz, had spent the majority of his 40 years involved in football within the county.
He had played for teams including Whitehaven Amateurs JFC, St Bees (Saturday and Sunday), Whittington Cat, FC Cosmos, Cleator Moor Celtic Veterans and was still playing for Moor Row Veterans and Whitehaven Miners Social FC.
As well as playing football, Lee was also a member of the West Cumbria Youth League Committee for a number of years alongside his dad Barrie.
They laid the foundations for the growth of the league, including the league’s first girls’ division, to where it is today, with over 300 teams.
Within his role, as fixture secretary, Lee was responsible for providing opportunities for thousands of young players within the west of the county.
Cumberland FA CEO, Ben Snowdon, led the tributes saying: “I actually played for a number of seasons with Lee at St Bees and am truly shocked and absolutely gutted by his loss.
“Lee was selfless and not one of those players who only turned up to training or matches and that was it.
“I would guess that at whichever club he was playing at, he would be involved in the committee, or selling tickets/football sheets to raise money and he was always there if there was ever a social event as he just loved the crack.
“Anyone who knew Lee, knew how much he loved football and that included talking about it. Whether it be a minute-by-minute, play-by-play synopsis of the game you had just played, or an overview of the latest Premier League decision that had gone against his beloved Liverpool FC, you knew that if you saw Bazza that you were not going anywhere for a while.
“However, due to his personality and his passion for the game it wasn’t long before I found myself so engaged in the conversation and before I knew it, I had forgotten what I was supposed to be doing or realising that I was even more late than I usually am, for wherever it was that I was going to do.
“I would love to have another opportunity for such conversations.
“Lee was just genuine. What you saw with Lee was what you got. This made him hugely likeable, and this can be seen within the content and volume of comments from across the game following his death.
“My thoughts are with all of his teammates from over the years, members and friends from his current club Whitehaven Miners Social FC, his friends and his family especially Barrie, Mary and Karl.”
Bill Robson, of Whitehaven AFC, said: “Lee Jenkinson was one of the original under-12s at WAFC and it’s been our honour and pleasure to coach him and know him as a player and a friend!
“Watching him grow to a fine young man, he just loved his football and having a good crack about his beloved LFC.
Will miss them cracks when we bumped into him running on the harbour. Our heart goes out to Barry and Mary, no words can say how we feel.
“Our lives have been all the better for knowing you mate. YNWA Lee”
Cleator Moor Celtic Veterans said they were saddened to hear the news. They said: “We are gutted to hear that there ex-player Lee Jenkinson has passed away.
“Lee played two seasons (2022 & 2023) winning two league titles and one league cup and was a very popular member of the team. Rest easy Bazza. Our thoughts are with Barry, Mary and the family.
In conjunction with Whitehaven Miners and in accordance with his family’s wishes, the Cumberland County League, the West Cumberland Sunday League, and the West Cumbria Youth Football League will undertake a period of applause before games this weekend, November 2 and 3.
