'Derek played for the Club in the Yorkshire League days, from the mid ‘60’s until 1980, his last First team game being on 22nd March, 1980, when Thackley were beaten 2-1 by Liversedge, at Dennyfield, (then known as Ainsbury Avenue).

Derek was an uncompromising centre half and must have a great claim to being the best defender in the Club’s history. It was often said that he could head the ball further than most players could kick it!

His heading prowess was not restricted to defending, as he could usually be relied upon to score at least half a dozen goals a season from corners or free kicks. His last First team goal was scored on the 19th January, 1980, when we defeated Scarborough by 3 goals to 1, the scorers of the other two goals being Dick Whisker and Peter Barker.

Derek was also a rarity amongst former players in that, when he finished his playing career, he joined the Committee and served as Treasurer for several years.'

Richard Paley, a team mate of Derek, has this to say about this Thackley Legend.

'Not only was Derek a legend at Thackley, for many years he was a legend throughout non-league Bradford football. Anyone who followed football in the late sixties and seventies was aware of Derek either because they had been kicked by him or been beaten by one of the teams he played for. I played alongside him for many years and as Stewart writes, to say that he was uncompromising is an immense understatement, the stories of his stoic rigidity are countless. Derek combined an indomitable spirit to win with a physical presence that superseded all other considerations. It is true to say that if it meant saving a scoring chance, Derek would have kicked his grandma into the Avenue. He was afraid of no-one and nothing and he would often put his body on the line in the course of a game to negate a scoring chance or to reach a header. Bob Dover who played with Derek at that time recalls that his worst football injury was inflicted by Derek when Bob was clear on goal in training and Derek ensured, with a rash tackle, that he progressed no further. In a time of reputable hard players Derek was supreme. Very few centre forwards liked to go head to head with him, he was very rarely beaten in the air and his tackling was formidable.'

Despite his many on-field encounters there would be few who played against him or with him who would not show him the deepest respect and admiration.'

The funeral will take place at Nab Wood Crematorium on Friday, 9th November, at 11:30am followed by a reception at the Club’s ground, ‘Dennyfield’, Ainsbury Avenue, Thackley. BD10 0TL.”