ALBERT CORNWALL 1933-2015

 

Albert joined Canning Town F.C. in season 1954/55, straight after completing his National service, joining up with former members of St Lukes.

He quickly established himself in the 1st X1 playing left half, for anyone under 45 that’s a midfielder.  And Albert was a” proper” midfielder, going from box to box for the whole of the game, demonstrating what a good defender he was, and scoring his fair share of goals.

When he got left out of the 1st X1 by manager Ron Shelton in 1966 Albert was very upset, believing he was still good enough for the side. But with young players from the Towns first youth team now eligible for selection the manager decided that it was time for changes, and he was proved right. Albert played for the 2nd X1 with distinction for a couple of seasons before retiring in 1968. He was awarded the Clubman of the year award that year, and he proved what an astute management committee decision it was by serving the club for another 34 years.

In 1969 the club formed its 2nd youth team which Albert managed, and enjoyed 2 very successful seasons. The side won the Barking youth league in both seasons, and also reached the final of Essex Youth Cup, unfortunately losing to Newbury Park.

Albert loved those 2 years with the youth team, many of whom served the club for years to come. One of them was Steve Luckings, who could talk for England. One day on his way home from a game Albert asked Steve to stop talking, they had been driving for 35 minutes and Steve had not come up for breath,  Steve continued, Albert stopped his car and threw him out. 

 

 

Albert must be the ONLY club linesman ever to flag for a Penalty Against his own side, and he did it in a game when one of his defenders handled the ball. That was the kind of man he was, Honest as the day is long.

In the next 30 years Albert managed sides, was treasurer, groundsman, bar steward. Probably the best of times was when he assisted Alan Griffin with the 1st X1 in the most successful period in the clubs history between 1992 and 1997 in which we won both the Essex Intermediate Cup and the London Intermediate Cup on 2 separate occasions, besides many league titles.

Born in July 1934 Albert had 2 children, Kay and Paul, 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

In 2002 Albert, along with the majority of the management committee left Canning Town to form Newham United F.C.

Albert was involved in preparing pitches at Langdon playing fields, and ran the bar for the club.

 In 2006 the club moved to Cave Road, in a partnership with Lister Community School, where Albert spent 2 or 3 days a week, cutting and line marking the pitches for both our club and for the school. He also marked running tracks for the school in the summer.

On most Saturdays he could be found at the ground from about 9.30, making sure everything was in order for the days game. He would let all of us know that “I’ve been working all day”, but he couldn’t be persuaded to stop until he had everything in order.

The last 13 years have flown by and it has been a pleasure to spend much of that time with a real gentleman who will be sorely missed by many, many people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alberts Funeral is on Thursday 17th September 2015 at City of London Wanstead at 3-30pm, Leaving 93, Faicross Avenue Barking Essex IG118QZ at 2pm.

Rather than flowers Alberts family would like donations to Richard House Trust which was close to Alberts Heart