Mr Lewis – an unsung hero of the World Cup

Published: 17 June, 2010

• WITH all the excitement and coverage of the World Cup, my thoughts this morning turned to Mr Lewis.

Mr Lewis was an ordinary man who every spare minute had the local little boys playing football.

I thought how many Mr Lewises there must have been in the late 1960s early 1970s and before.

It was in the days before grants or much youth provision at all but he and all the other men like him were so dedicated.

His wife was just as wonderful her kitchen was open to all these little boys.

My sons are now in their mid-40s but their love of sport and their views of fairness come from this man.Their friends of that time also grew up with that sense of belonging.

I think that at this time of the World Cup Finals it might just be nice if we gave credit to the ordinary men who, without a thought, simply played football with our sons and actually made a foundation for the value youth work has today.

My boys were out on a playing field covered in mud like their friends every spare minute and, looking back, I am so grateful.
CHRISTINE BRODY
Steeles Road, NW3