It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of a man who has played a significant role over the years here at Ramsbottom United.

Geoff Lay has been with the club for the best part of 50 years.

He began playing for the team in the early years, and was a competitive and commanding centre-half, standing over six feet tall.

At the end of his playing days, he became a vital member of the club’s committee, helping the Rams to move up from the local Bolton Combination League through to where we are today, in the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

Much of what you see at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium is down to the hard work that Geoff put in. He oversaw the planning and construction of much of the ground.

Geoff suffered illness in his later years, but he returned to the HWRS a couple of years ago as we honoured his achievements by renaming a stand in his honour, and the photo above shows Geoff proudly standing in front of the structure.

He will be sadly missed by all at the club, and our sympathies go out to his family.