THERE was a large attendance on June 28 of family members, friends and fellow past and present Crediton United Football Club members at the Exeter and Devon Crematorium for the funeral service of Bill Ash, who died on June 15.

A popular figure in Crediton, Bill had lived all his life in the town and enjoyed working for the same Company all his working life.

He was born on March 15 1921 and enjoyed a very happy family childhood with his brother Alec and sister Mary. He attended Hayward's School, where his passion for football began in the 1930's and stayed with him for the rest of his life.

Leaving school at the age of 14 Bill went to work for the Creedy Valley Cider Company as an office junior. His work there was interrupted by the Second World War, when he joined the Royal Air Force and was posted to India.

Following the war Bill returned to the Creedy Valley Cider Company in Common Marsh Lane and he quickly worked his way up to the position of manager, a position he held until the late 1950's when, following a business takeover, the Cider Factory closed.

The Gloucester Cider Co took on the brand of Creedy Valley Cider and they were eventually taken over by the Whitbread Brewery Company.

Meanwhile, Bill went to work for Norman and Pring at the City Brewery, Exeter, who themselves were part of Whitbread's.

Bill eventually transferred to the Whitbread's depot in Tiverton at the former Starkey, Knight and Ford premises, which had also been absorbed into the Whitbread empire and here Bill spent the rest of his working life as stock controller.

In 1951 he married Jean Cole at Crediton Parish Church and for the early years of their marriage they lived in Church Street where, in 1953, their daughter Janet was born.

They moved to Marsh View in Tolleys, later purchasing a house in Meadow Gardens and eventually settling in Dokkum Road.

In 1946 Bill became involved with the newly reformed Crediton United as player and Club Secretary. Following a break away from football, he re-joined the Club in the early 1960's as Chairman.

In those days the club played at Newcombe's Meadow and Bill played a major role in the negotiations with the Council for the building of changing rooms in a part of the old buildings of the Council yard, which are now the site of Crediton Library.

He was also heavily involved in the Club fund-raising for the purchase and erection adjacent to the changing rooms of a large wooden building for the use as a Committee room and for serving refreshments.

This was luxury compared to the dingy cellar room of the Old Oatsheaf Hotel which was previously used!

During his early years as Chairman, the Club won the Exeter and District Senior One Division title in 1962-3 and 1966-7 and the Reserve team Junior 1B Championship.

Bill's reign as Chairman lasted into the 1970's, when the Club moved to Lords Meadow in 1976 following the development of the sports pitches there.

The first competitive match played there was against a full Bristol City Team which had just been promoted to the old First Division – now the Premier League.

In the mid 70's a strong Crediton United AFC committee was ambitious to fulfil a dream of having their own Social Clubhouse at the ground and many fundraising events were held.

This included a 25 mile sponsored walk, which was well supported and Bill was one of the first to complete the route together with former player, Fred Davey.

The club realised its ambition in 1979 when the new Clubhouse was built.

With a succession of younger members taking on responsibility of Chairman, Bill was elected as Club President but also remained an active member of the Club Committee.

Bill's knowledge of the licensing trade was invaluable to the Club. For many years he took on the responsibility of Club Bar Committee Chairman and Steward.

He was also involved in football with Whitbread's where he was the Manager of the local works team, which played in a National inter branch competition. With a crop of good local players Bill could select from, he was successful in the competition several times.

Bill's contacts in the trade were also invaluable in the 60's and 70's at the end of season when Club "Tours" were arranged. On several trips to London Bill was able to arrange a match and use of facilities at the Whitbread Sports Ground in Wallington Surrey.

These trips were eagerly looked forward to because of the wonderful hospitality received.

Bill's knowledge of the licensing trade was invaluable to the Club. For many years he took on the responsibility of Club Bar Committee Chairman and Steward. Fortunate to have been able to take early retirement he was able to devote a lot of his time to the running of the Clubhouse and bar.

Every Sunday morning he would be found stock taking, bottling up and cleaning the pipes. His young apprentice "Johnnie" was trained in the art of lining all the mixers and bottled beer in immaculate rows!

A former colleague, Ian Grinney, remembers Bill spending ages showing him how to clean out the pipes properly and only when he was totally satisfied did he let him do it unsupervised!

Bill demanded and got the highest standard from the helpers in running the bar. No more than you would expect from a man with a career in management.

He would even open the bar for a couple of hours on Christmas morning, with daughter Janet's help, so that regulars could get a free drink.

Bill was also a regular supporter every Saturday and probably the greatest pleasure of his football years was the election of the Club to the Western League in the 1988-9 season. The memory of the Crediton Town Band playing the hymn Abide with Me on the centre of the pitch prior to the teams first game will surely have remained with him for the rest of his life.

Bill also enjoyed the social side of the Club, being a regular member of the Clubs skittles team and was also a regular with his mates George, Jim, Stan, Melv and others on Saturday night and Sunday lunchtime social gatherings.

Following his retirement as President of the Club, at the age of 80, Bill was honoured for his devotion to the Club by being elected as an Honorary Life Member.

In the early 1990's Bill celebrated 50 years of service to football and received a letter of commendation from the English Football Association and was presented with a memento in recognition of the occasion.

Even though he was unable to get to Lords Meadow in recent years Bill still had a love for "his" Club and was always interested to find out what was happening on and off the field.

Throughout the years as an official for the Club Bill was a guiding light for all his fellow colleagues. He was an excellent public speaker, able to express his thoughts without any notes.

If there was anything he didn't agree with he would let people know but he never fell out with anyone and to everyone who got to know him well he was always a true friend.

Following the funeral members of Bill's family, friends and fellow members of the Club returned to the Crediton United Football Clubhouse to catch up with old friends and recall memories of Bill's involvement with the Club.

Everyone involved at Crediton United extend their heartfelt best wishes to Jean and Janet.

Bill was held in high esteem and will be remembered by all for the rest of their lives.

Chris Gillard