Tributes to Harry (From Stourbridge News)

Tributes to Harry

9:30am Thursday 8th February 2007 in Local

TRIBUTES have poured in to a much-loved football physio who has died aged 68.

Harry Hill, from Amblecote, died on February 1 after suffering from breathing difficulties for the last four years.

The dad-of-one dedicated 38 years of life to treating players at Lye Town FC and had a strong interest in football from his early school days at The Grange School, where he used to play as goalkeeper.

Harry got involved in physiotherapy part-time after he suffered a bad injury which spurred him on to learn how to treat other injured players.

His son, Andrew Hill, said: "Dad had always been a caring person and that side of him made him get involved in helping with injuries.

"Anybody will confirm that he never said a bad word about anybody, he was dedicated to football and it was the main thing in his life besides his family."

Harry Hill was not only well known for his involvement in the football club but also for his career in the glass trade, as he worked for some of the most famous glassworks such as Stuart Crystal, Royal Brierley and Tudor Crystal.

It was during his time working for Stuart Crystal Harry met his wife Sheila, who he married on July 18 1964.

She said:"He was a very good man, well-liked and loved his football, he also liked to go fishing with his son.

"He was well-known around Lye and everybody knew him."

Secretary of Lye Football Club, John Woodhouse, who first met Harry in 1979, experienced personal treatment from his healing hands.

He said: "He was the best physiotherapist in non-league football.

"Over the years he treated thousands of players and was willing to help anybody including people outside the club."

Harry was an inspiration to players and was sometimes known to give Winston Churchill-like speeches to players during some of the difficult times to give them a boost.

Mr Woodhouse added: "He was a very talented man who learnt from experience, he always listened and he was very knowledgeable."

Harry's funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Amblecote, at 2.45pm, tomorrow (Friday February 9).