22 December 2008
Before the kick off of our match against North Shields, Northern Leagus Chairman, Mike Amos, made a presentation to Graham Defty, in a small token of thanks for his many services to football.
Graham turned a very young looking 65 the earlier this month, and for over fifty years has given his all to the game. He could have been a pro with Cardiff City, back in the days when Cardiff City meant giants of the game like John Charles and Ivor Allchurch, but like many in those days decided that the security of completing his apprenticeship was more important. He came back to the North East and captained Spennymoor through their glory days of the sixties, and still enjoys legendary status in the town, as anybody who has been with him at a Spennymoor game can confirm.
After retiring as a player he committed himself to non league football, and has worked tirelessly for every club, and there have been a few, with which he has been involved. Steels, Whickham, Willington and Blue Star amongst several others enjoyed his services, but for the past fifteen or more years it has been Roker FC in the Wearside League and, since the merger of the clubs, Ryhope Kennek FC, now Sunderland RCA FC, in the Northern League who have been fortunate to have Graham on board.
It is simply no exaggeration to say that without Graham Sunderland RCA would very likely not exist. Behind the scenes he looks after the ground, the clubhouse and the pitch, and organises just about everything that needs organising, and even though his active management days ended some time back, on more than a few occasions he has stepped into the breach and picked up the on field reins as well. It is a pleasure to know and work with him.
All at Sunderland RCA and throughout the local game wish Graham and his saintly and ever supportive wife Joan well for the future, since we can hardly call it a retirement, and look forward to many more years. A belated happy birthday, and thanks for everything, Graham.