TRIBUTES have been paid to a “true gent” and stalwart of the amateur rugby league scene.

Roy Sharples, a founding member and former secretary of Thatto Heath ARLFC, has sadly died aged 86, following a short illness.

Roy was also secretary of BARLA Lancashire for 19 years, and former board of management member and life member at BARLA (British Amateur Rugby League Association).

Roy, from Thatto Heath, was a true stalwart of the amateur game and began watching rugby league with his dad from the age of 10 watching Vine Tavern.

In 1981 Roy became involved in the newly formed Thatto Heath ARLFC after being invited by Saints’ Frank Barrow to become secretary of the club which had great success in winning the BARLA National Cup in 1987.

The club continues to this day under the guise Thatto Heath Crusaders ARLFC encompassing men’s, ladies’, youth and girls’ teams.

Roy became a member of the St Helens District League and was invited to be the secretary of the BARLA Lancashire Committee, which he enjoyed for many years before standing down from that side of the amateur game.

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Roy was passionate about the game, especially the Thatto Heath club, and in 2005 he became a member of the BARLA Board of Management giving his lifelong experience and opinion for the good of the game.

In 2006 he was made a Life Member of BARLA, something which he was very proud of.

During BARLA’s 50th Anniversary last year Roy was invited as a guest to its BARLA Youth & Junior National Cup Finals and was thrilled to accompany BARLA chair Sue Taylor MBE to meet and greet the players before one of their finals.

'A great stalwart and a true gent'

BARLA chair Sue Taylor MBE said: “BARLA were saddened to hear of the passing of Roy a great stalwart and a follower of the amateur game for over 75 years and our thoughts and condolences are with Roy’s family, friends and all those he knew him within the amateur game and outside it.

“He was a true gent and a pleasure to see him last year following BARLA’s invite for him to attend the BARLA Youth & Junior National Cup Finals and he reminisced of his time and people he knew and met within the amateur game.

“That day Roy also accompanied me on to the field to meet and greet the players of both sides who were preparing to meet in one of those finals and he looked thrilled to be asked and enjoyed the day as a whole before presented with souvenirs celebrating BARLA’s 50th Anniversary.”

St Helens Star: Roy Sharples was a Life Member of BARLA Roy Sharples was a Life Member of BARLA (Image: Submitted)

A big Saints fan, Roy was one of the supporters to receive a phone call from a player during the Covid pandemic in 2020 as the club looked to raise the spirits of older fans during the first lockdown.

Roy told the Star at the time that he had enjoyed a chat with player Theo Fages.

He added his favourite ever Saints player was legendary winger Tom van Vollenhoven, whom he once got to meet when Tom came to the Thatto Heath club.

In a statement last Saturday (May 4), Thatto Heath Crusaders said: “We regret to inform you of some very sad news. Roy Sharples, a founding member, a steadfast and loyal supporter of Thatto, has passed away suddenly following a very short illness.

“His family has kindly given permission for us to share this information.

“We will pay our respects to Roy during today's home game and are assisting his family in any way we can during this difficult time.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them all.

“Rest in peace, Roy. You will be deeply missed.”