In praise of Chris Lightfoot

Back in January, when we were helping stave off a football famine by getting our supporters to tell us about the best eleven players they'd ever seen play for their club, Romford fan Mike Woods chose goalkeeper Chris Lightfoot and explained:

'Romford have been blessed with a number of outstanding goalkeepers over the years, and here I have plumped for a keeper from the club’s Southern League days. Chris Lightfoot had the unenviable task of taking over from the legendary Andy Smith. He was a tall, imposing keeper, good on crosses and stopping shots whose calm assurance would inspire confidence in the rest of the team. Joined Romford in 1972 from AP Leamington, and left in 1976 for Leyton-Wingate. He kept 44 clean sheets in 174 appearances.'

A few days ago we had an email from David, formerly of Chase Cross Comprehensive, who had just read the article and wrote of keeper Chris:

'As well as being a great goalie Chris Lightfoot was also an inspirational PE teacher in a very difficult comprehensive school in Romford. Chase Cross Comprehensive (now renamed Bower Park) was, in the 1970s, a "sink school" (in today's education language) with a strong minority of very difficult pupils. Chris Lightfoot was inspirational in turning the school around with innovations and long hours encouraging youngsters to find confidence and self discipline in sport.

Chris Lightfoot was instrumental in lobbying for the school's first sports hall and subsequent introduction of many new sporting opportunities for deprived youngsters. Mr Lightfoot started the basketball team which continues today, and he introduced many other opportunities such as Judo, Volleyball, Gymnastics, Indoor Cricket, Five a side football, Badminton, and more.

Mr Lightfoot also managed to bring expert trainers to the school such as Mr McKenzie (British Judo Instructor) and a former pupil Ian Legrand went on to become a national Paralympic volleyball coach (see Ian Legrand story here).

AND Of course the 1970s Headmaster William Gore is also the key figure in encouraging Mr Lightfoot's natural skill and enthusiasm to take a leading role in the new Sports Hall that Mr Gore lobbied politicians and civil servants for.'

Mike, reminded of another anecdote, added:

'When Romford reformed in 1992, Chris Lightfoot played for a Romford XI against an Arsenal Celebrity XI in a match to raise funds for the new club. A crowd of around 2,000 saw the game, which was played at Hornchurch Stadium.'

Read Mike's Top XI again by heading here.

It's great that a former Isthmian made such a difference in his local community. If you have any more such stories, please get in touch and share them- it would be great to hear from you. Email Ian by clicking here.