Alan Turvey to stand down as Ryman League chairman

Sunday 22nd June 2014

ALAN TURVEY will pass on the baton of chairing the Ryman League to a successor next June after announcing his retirement as the longest-serving chairman in the history of the Isthmian League.

A League statement published on their website said: “After nearly six decades in the game as a referee and administrator and 32 years leading the Ryman League following his appointment as chairman in 1982, he told delegates attending the Ryman League’s AGM at the London Wembley Hilton Hotel that he would not be seeking re-election next June.

“The Chairman, who handed out the accolades in front of more than 500 guests at the Ryman League’s annual banquet and ball at the same venue last Saturday night, will continue to stand for re-election as the Ryman League’s President and vowed to carry on ‘acting actively and in the best interests of member clubs’ until he hands over to his successor at the 2015 AGM.

“The Ryman League’s Board of Directors had prior notification of the announcement and officials say they will meet in due course to discuss the future.

“Honoured as one of the Football Association’s 150 grassroots heroes by HRH The Duke of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace in October 2013, the Ryman League Chairman kicked off his career in football when he set up Essex side Wickford Boys in the 1950s before becoming a referee in 1959 and going on to be a top flight official in the old First Division.

“His connection to the Ryman League goes back to 1961 when he first took charge of an Isthmian League match. In 1978 he joined the Isthmian as a fixtures secretary and after rapid promotion to League Secretary the following year, was appointed Chairman in 1982 as the successor to Barry East.

“In 2000 he was made President of the Ryman League and was also honoured by the FA with a long service medal to mark his 50 years in the game.”

Visit the Ryman League website: www.isthmian.co.uk