Lancashire loses top administrator
Latics have been saddened to hear of the death of Jim Kenyon, Lancashire FA Secretary between1963 and 2006.
Jim joined Lancashire FA in 1959 and was, from his first day with LFA, destined to become a legend as a football administrator.
Learning his trade under some very strong characters, he by progression, became Secretary of Lancashire FA in 1963. Through Jim's extensive knowledge of football his word was accepted as fact when he was asked for an opinion on any matter within the game. He ruffled a few feathers in defence of his County, never allowing any other County FA to gain an advantage over Lancashire in terms of grassroots football and its development.
In addition to his position in Lancashire football he accepted the role of Secretary to all the English County Football Associations, a role he kept for many years. Through Jim’s leadership, his opinion was sought on many of their football initiatives, and through this, Lancashire FA led on many of The FA programmes for grassroots football, including Sunday football and more recently, mini-soccer and FA Charter Standard.
Jim was instrumental in the continuing development of the Association and its facilities, overseeing the move from Blackburn to Leyland in the late 1990’s and the subsequent development of The County Ground facilities at Leyland.
Jim retired at the end of 2003 and continued to be involved within the game as a Director at Accrington Stanley FC. He was known throughout the game and welcomed at any football ground he visited.
He was an accepted authority on all football matters which ran happily alongside his love of cricket.
An accomplished player in the Lancashire Leagues, when his playing days finished he coached at county level with Lancashire County Cricket Club, particularly with the under-17's, taking them through many successful years.
Many a cricket star from Old Trafford owe a lot to Jim for his help and advice along the road to the first team at Lancashire CCC, and for some, the England team.
An all round sportsman, Jim has to be remembered for all the skill and enthusiasm he brought to football and cricket in Lancashire both in the playing side, coaching and administration of the game within the county.