Lovely Linda Haywood is abdicating as the Queen of Hartshill Strollers.
She joined the club in 2014 – six months after it was founded.
Linda is the wife of Bob Haywood, who among his many achievements, managed the Over 65s to the finals of the WFA National Cup in 2018.
For which he was named Manager of the Year.
Linda has never played football but loved her self-appointed role as one half of the Hartshill Supporters’ Association – the other half being Bob!
Linda said: “I am delighted to have seen so many great matches, mainly the 60s and 65s, home & away for a whole decade.
“I think I enjoyed it so much because I was watching really good players – many England internationals – and really nice man, all of them.
“They were always so pleased to see me. I think Bob just tagged along in the hope the talent rubbed off on him.
“It never did!”
“In the early days, there was little opposition to play. It was mainly Birmingham WFC (then known as Beechcroft.)
“But as Hartshill mushroomed, Bob and I found ourselves going to dozens of competive matches.
“Last year, we drove 1,500 miles – including visits to Heywood in Lancashire, Barnsley in Yorkshire, Cirencester in Gloucestershire, and Nottingham.”
Looking back over the club’s astonishing rise- and – over the past 10 years, Linda said: “Club membership has rocketed from a handful to 140.
“Hartshill has – at the last count – seven male and female Internationals & has won hundreds of trophies.
“But the most significant milestone – in my view- was the launch of the women’s section by the wonderful Jay Adams,
“They are are ripping up trees all over the shop!”
Linda has been presented with a beautiful trophy by Mark Grazier, club founder and Life President, and Reg Walker, committee member and former director of football.
Linda and Bob are leaving the club because of failing health.
They will make their swansong at Hartshill’s 10th anniversary Walking Football Festival in memory of former Stroller Joey Loews on August 18.
Jay Adams, club vice chairperson, said: “Linda truly is the Queen of Hartshill.
“She has loyally served the club – quietly and modestly – for the whole if its history.
“The club wishes her well for the future.”