‘A giant of the game’: Tributes paid to Sunday league football legend

‘A REMARKABLE PERSON’: Wally Owst with the Sporting Hero and Champions Diamond Award which he won in 2009

As Hull’s amateur footballing community mourns the loss of revered figurehead, Wally Owst, Kevin Shoesmith finds out more about the man who epitomised what grassroots sport is all about

A legend in the world of grassroots football who was affectionately known as ‘Mr Sunday League’ has become one of Hull’s latest victims of Covid-19.

Walter ‘Wally’ Owst was elected general secretary of Hull Sunday Football League in 1962, and only stepped down from the role earlier this year.

Alongside the indelible mark he made on amateur football, Wally will also be fondly remembered for his time managing Allsports sports shop in Ferensway in the 1970s and 80s, before striding out on his own and opening Beta Sports, in Beverley Road. 

Today, Wally’s son, Steve Owst, led the tributes to his father – a figure who the East Riding FA described as having been “synonymous with the beautiful game” in our city.

“Dad was unbelievably well known in this city,” said Steve, 66, of west Hull. “A lot of people can still remember buying their first pair of football boots from him. He used to love going away with National Holidays. He couldn’t go anywhere without someone on the coach or at the hotel recognising him.”

Wally, who was 93, died at Hull Royal Infirmary on December 14. The cause of death was confirmed as Covid-19 and pneumonia. Cancer of the lung was also detected.

“The care for him was fabulous,” said Steve. “Nobody knew about the cancer.  The hospital allowed me to visit him. I was able to sit and talk to him. I had to be fully masked up.

“The nurses told me that he was really cheerful and would chat with them all. That was Dad all over.”

The eldest of ten siblings, Wally was born in 1927. His family would spend the war years living at several address after being bombed-out three times.

Wally was happily married to Molly for 63 years and the couple, who spent most of their married lives in Bransholme, had one child together. Molly died in 2016.  

“They were absolutely devoted to each other,” said Steve. “They would discuss everything together. To me, he was just a normal, happy dad. He was loving and caring. He was always supportive. When things went wrong, he was there for you.”  

Wally’s decades-long involvement with football began in 1953 when he decided to raise a men’s team, Waterloo Amateurs, from Waterloos Mills, off Wincolmlee, where he was employed at the time.

In 1958, he was elected on to the board of Hull Sunday Football League, becoming assistant secretary. When the then general secretary, Terry Nicholson, died in 1962, Wally took over the reins.

“Dad was apparently very honoured to be asked to serve on the committee,” said Steve. “But he was also very worried. He discussed it with my mother, and she said, ‘Try it for a year. See how it goes.’ Anyhow, he retired as general secretary earlier this year.”

It was not all plain sailing for Wally, however.

“You can’t imagine it now,” said Steve. “But in those early days there was a lot of opposition and hospitality towards Sunday league football. I expect there were lots of reasons for this. But I think the main reason was that Sunday was seen, in the 1950s, as a religious observance day. Football was something to be played on a Saturday.

“Several leagues were affiliated to the county FA. If they found out someone was playing on a Sunday, they would be in quite a bit of trouble. For this reason, some people played under assumed names.”

Wally’s efforts were well recognised over the years. His son is now in receipt of his collection of trophies and medals. Among them is the Sporting Heroes and Champions Award presented to Wally in 2009. In 2006, he became the first recipient of the BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Unsung Hero Award. 

Sadly, towards the end of his life, Wally witnessed the rapid decline of grassroots football.

‘MISSED’: Wally Owst, left, pictured last year with the late Hull Sunday Football League president Doug Harrison

Steve said: “At one point, in the 90s, we had 252 Sunday football teams. We have 60 now. Youth football is going strong, but men’s football has reduced drastically. It’s mainly down to changing work patterns.”

Steve can recall Sunday afternoons being taken up answering phone calls from clubs.

“We’d take close to 300 phone calls from every club in the city,” said Steve. “Dad would collect the results for the papers.”       

In recognition of the immense contribution to grassroots football, Wally was named the Life Vice President of the East Riding FA. Last year, he received the FA Order of Merit for 50 years’ service to grassroots football.

Steve added: “He will be tremendously missed.”

In a tribute posted to its website, East Riding FA said: “Wally will be sadly missed by everyone connected to grassroots football in our county. Many of you will be able to recount tales of help, support and advice that Wally was only too happy to offer. Wally was a giant of the game and his contribution to grassroots football will stand the test of time.

“Everyone at the East Riding would like to pass on our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Wally and request that you join us in remembering a remarkable person.”

• Wally’s funeral will be held at 2.45pm on Friday, January 15 at Chanterlands Avenue Crematorium, west Hull. Places are heavily restricted due to Covid-19 but the family has confirmed arrangements will be made to watch the service digitally.