Albert Maddox dies

Albert Maddox with former chairman Bob Lord in Naples

Albert was involved with the club for many years and worked as assistant secretary to Henry Smith before becoming secretary himself during the halcyon days of the 1960s, and it was during this time that I first met him. Sheltering from the rain in the entrance way of the old stand he came out of his office to shoo us out, only for Jimmy Robson to tell us we could come back in.

He remained at Turf Moor until the early 1980s when he was replaced by Bob Bradshaw, but it was his successor's ill health and subsequent premature death that saw Albert back at Turf Moor. He came in initially to assist but again took the secretary's position.

This was the period when I first go to know him. I was somewhat in awe of him when I first attended a meeting at the club with him, but I found him to be very welcoming and I always found him to be very helpful.

He eventually retired his position but after a short time with Mark Blackbourne and John Haworth, the role went back to the family with his daughter Cathy Pickup taking over, and she remains secretary to this day. His name remains at Turf Moor, one of the suites in the Longside stand is named after him, the other bears the name of his great friend George Bray who passed away in 2002.

Albert leaves his wife Muriel and two daughters, and my thoughts and prayers are with them at this very sad time.