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Tributes pour in for the "father" of Grouville Football Club

Tributes pour in for the

Monday 17 June 2024

Tributes pour in for the "father" of Grouville Football Club

Monday 17 June 2024


Scores of well wishes have been sent to the family of "the father of Grouville FC", who passed away last week at the age of 87.

The President of Grouville Football Club, Richard Noel, announced on social media that his father, George Noel, passed away "peacefully" last week.

 Richard paid tribute to his dad as the club's "greatest ever member".

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Pictured: The announcement was made on Richard Noel and Grouville FC's social media accounts

The post attracted an outpouring of support for the Noel family, with islanders expressing their sadness of the death of such a community-focused man.

One Facebook commenter said: "Legend of a man. Will be missed greatly."

Another wrote: "George was a wonderful man and I am proud to have played for the club for many years with him watching and cheering us on.

"A huge loss to Grouville FC."

"The biggest thing in his life"

Speaking to Express, Richard Noel, explained how much the local football club meant to his father.

"Next to family, Grouville FC was the biggest thing in his life," he said.

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Pictured: A frame of George Noel shaking hands with a young Grouville player hangs proudly in the club's clubhouse

The grandfather-of-eight and great-grandfather to another eight children, Mr Noel "never missed a game" and wore his Grouville bobble hat "come rain or high summer".

At their Le Boulivot club house, a large frame of Mr Noel shaking hands with Grouville players hangs proudly in testament to his love of the club.

"Football has always been very much a part of our family" 

Originally involved with the grass roots side since the late 1940s, aged 11, Mr Noel has always been an avid football fan.

Starting out work as a herdsman on dairy farms, football and his passion for Wolverhampton Wanderers remained unwavering.

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Pictured: Mr Noel marking the pitch at Le Boulivot which he continued to do each week until in his early 80s.

"Football has always been very much a part of our family," said Richard. "Me and my siblings grew up on [Grouville football pitch] Le Boulivot."

After joining Grouville as a player, Mr Noel's stalwart commitment to the club continued throughout his life as he then went on to be involved in all areas of the organisation.

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Pictured: George Noel (left) leading out his life long club at the Jeremie Cup last year against St Peter.

 

His son told Express that his dad marked the pitch, stood on the committee, and coached teams – as well as stand as the club's longest serving President of 18 years.

 

Throughout his life, Mr Noel was also heavily involved with the Jersey Football Combination, originally working as a secretary with his late wife who died in 2003.

 

A "wonderful" level of respect

Up until last summer, aged 86, Mr Noel religiously supported Grouville FC and even joined them on a trip over to Guernsey.

His son explained how the players showed utmost respect to their biggest fan.

Richard said: “Whenever the boys won a trophy, the first thing they’d do was make sure my dad was on the pitch with them and in all their photos.

"In Guernsey, last year, the lads were taking it in turns to push him in his wheelchair."

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Pictured: George Noel (centre) was always included in club celebrations.

“To see that level of respect from the boys is wonderful,” he added.

Vice President of Grouville FC and long term friend of Mr Noel, Gary Lloyd also shared his sadness at the death of such a "legend".

"George will be massively missed by everyone," he said. "He was a legend in the boys' eyes and I could not speak more highly of such a gentleman."

"There will be an empty seat at our games now" 

Mr Lloyd explained that Mr Noel had his own bench at the pitch where he watched Grouville FC games each Saturday.

"There will be an empty seat at our games now," he continued. "It will take someone extremely special to fill it. He meant everything to Grouville FC."

As well as his long term commitment to football, Mr Noel was also heavily involved in other community roles, volunteering as an honorary police officer and working as a caretaker for Trinity school for many years.

Richard added: "Dad touched the lives of a lot of people. His life was for others not for himself."

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