NORTH LEIGH F C NEWS

North Leigh Football Club Stalwart Dies Aged 85 Years - 29th May

The Sport Italia Hellenic League Office was advised earlier this week that Basil ‘Shep’ Sheppard had passed away. His obituary was received from Club Press Officer Barry Norton earlier this morning.

‘Shep’ as he was affectionately known was born near Southampton in August 1922. After training in the motor trade he joined the Royal Air Force as a nineteen year old in 1941 and served in the Transport Section.
During the 2nd World War he saw active service in France and Germany leading a team maintaining troop vehicles.

A mechanic by trade ‘Shep’ became a skilled speedway rider after the war, winning the RAF championship and with RAF colleagues, helping to popularise the sport in Great Britain. At the time he rode alongside riders like former Leicester star Ken McKinlay, many of whom went on to become internationally renowned.

After service in many parts of the world, Shep’s last posting in 1974 was to RAF Bicester, whereupon he moved to live in Park Road, North Leigh, leaving the Royal Air Force three years later with the rank of Warrant Officer. Shep was extremely proud of his time in the Royal Air Force and always joined the annual Royal British Legion parade at the parish church on Remembrance Sunday

He then started working for CSE Aviation at Kidlington Airport delivering aircraft parts all around the country, work he continued to do long after his retirement working for a local businessman.

Shep took a keen interest in North Leigh Football Club from the outset and was elected on to the Club Committee in the early eighties. His mechanical knowledge was put to great use in maintaining and repairing tractors, gang mowers, rollers and a host of equipment used at the club, work he undertook with willingness and pride as he sought to save the club as much money on repairs as he could.

Shep became Vice Chairman of the club and then the club’s first Life Vice President in recognition of his unstinting service. In more recent times he could be found on the gate at home matches collecting entrance fees, and when poorer health prevented him attending games, he would be the first person club chairman Peter King or Committee member Steve Smith would ring with the day’s result.

Shep’s passing at the age of eighty five is a great loss to the local community in North Leigh where he became a dear friend and loyal colleague to many local people. He is survived by one of two sons, Philip.

His funeral is being held at St Mary’s Parish Church in North Leigh on Monday 2nd June at 2pm followed by burial in the cemetery opposite the church.
North Leigh Annual Presentation - 21st May

North Leighs' Stuart Huxley scored a double at the club's annual presentation night at the Witney Lakes Resort.

The defender won the Supporters Player of the Year Award as well as long service accolade for his 12 seasons at the West Oxfordshire club, who were promoted to the British Gas Business Southern League Division 1 South & West after winning the Sport Italia Hellenic League title. They also won the Oxfordshire Senior Cup.

The Players' Player award went to striker Andy McCabe, while James Mortimer-Jones was the Manager's Player.

Jamie Jackson was handed a long service award for his 15 year stint at the club, with Ben Reardon winning the most improved player award.

Chairman Pete King said they were already focusing on next season. "It doesn't come much better than this season, but we have to start all over again now. I have no worries about what will happen on the pitch. But off the pitch, we need to get our act together and make the step up to the Southern League successful."

Other Awards
North Leigh Reserves Players' Player: D Sadler
Reserves Manager's Player: O Collins
North Leigh A team Players' Player: J McDonagh
Managers Player: O Collins
North Leigh Youth Team Players Player: O Collins
Manager's Player: B Hume

Chairman's Award: Mark Gee

Club person of the year: M Burnell.
You Tell Us Where "We'll be There" - 5th May

North Leigh chairman Pete King says he doesn't care what division of the Southern League they are put into, after clinching promotion.

The West Oxfordshire club were presented with the Hellenic League Premier Division Championship by General Manager Brian King, after winning the Premier Division on goal difference ahead of Almondsbury Town.

North Leigh now face a wait before learning where they will be playing next season, with the FA holding meetings in mid-May.

Chairman Pete King said: "We've worked out the mileage, and there's not a lot of difference between the Midland Division and the South West Division. It's disappointing that we won't be playing Oxford City next season, however, I would like to congratulate them on their promotion to the Premier Division but we are delighted to be in the Southern League. It's something we have worked towards for several years, and to be there is fantastic."