Trevor Cherry
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Wednesday 13 May 2020 GUERNSEY PRESS OBITUARY 23 OBITUARY Trevor Cherry by Advocate Footballer Trevor Raymond Ashton Cherry, pictured in 1981. (28247216) T IS WITH regret that I have learnt of the sad demise of my friend Trevor Cherry as a result of a massive heart attack. This makes it two former footballers who have died within a Ishort period of time. Trevor was in the same school year as myself and over the years we had become friends and only about six weeks ago my other half was with the denizens of the chairman’s suite at City in Madrid, of which Trevor was part, as a result of his friendship and business association with Mike Marshall (himself a former player). Trevor had been a regular visitor over the years to City and always had time to talk about his former colleagues at Elland Road. Indeed, I had hoped many years ago during the second coming of Malcolm Allison to persuade him to join City to give the defence more stability. Before going into detail I must say that he was a very self-effacing and modest man, unlike most footballers. There will be many tributes to Trevor but when Bradford City went into administration in the early 1980s Stafford Higginbottom, later chairman, said to me that unlike many managers he had a brain (and not just in his feet) and was very sensiblel. Prophetic words, it proved. Trevor was born in Huddersfield and was always very proud of the town (and had heard of the world-famous Choral Society) and eventually forced his way into the first team. In terms of his time as a supporter and player he was familiar with Denis Law, World Cup winner Ramon Wilson, Mike O’Grady (later to play at Leeds), Bob McNab and Derek Parkin. In his teenage years he played in the Huddersfield teams that nearly made promotion to the First Division (at one time their prospects were better than Leeds) but eventually did 50 years ago when he, Roy Ellam and Jimmy Nicholson (ex Man United) formed the backbone of the team, together with Frank Worthington up front. Regretfully they only lasted two years in the top division. Subsequently, in 1972, they were relegated and he and Ellam were transferred to Leeds. In his first year he said it was difficult to get into what was an established team but, as a result of Terry Cooper’s injury, he played in the disastrous Cup Final against Sunderland in 1973. Things started badly when the team bus experienced difficulties and broke down but instead of getting the waiting taxis, Billy Bremner persuaded the Wallace Arnold bus driver that the lucky bus must take them to Wembley. It turned out to be unlucky and Trevor scored a goal after half time which was disallowed and also headed the ball towards goal which was parried out by Jim Montgomery to Peter Lorimer, whose shot was brilliantly parried away. Subsequently he was made captain by his former Huddersfield colleague Leeds also lost the Fair’s Cup final that after Billy Bremner left and played Terry Dolan. An online memorial service was held year when his friend Norman Hunter for England 27 times (once as captain) Trevor never returned to management, on Monday to honour the 56 people was sent off. before leaving for Bradford City where although offered it, and went into the who died during the fire at Bradford In 1973/74 he was more of a regular as he became manager. hospitality business with his friend City 35 years ago. Leeds won the First Division. Don Revie On the last day of the 1984/85 season he Mike Marshall. Trevor was a hero that day, saving was at the end of his tenure at Leeds but was manager when a fire broke out just If he had a regret, I think it is not being someone’s life. Trevor enjoyed a good relationship with before half time. This resulted in the on the field against Bayer. When I said Four members of one family perished the enigmatic Brian Clough. Whether death of 56 spectators and injured at once to him that Jimmy Armfield’s in the fire but one son, Martin that would always have been the case is least 265 others. indecision was final he just laughed, Fletcher, survived and wrote a book a difficult question. Terry Yorath (his assistant) on but I had the feeling he had a sneaking about it – The Story of the Bradford The replacement, Jimmy Armfield, was Yorkshire TV afterwards confirmed that admiration for his predecessor, Brian Fire. a nice man but not the most decisive. He Trevor had saved somebody’s life. Clough. Trevor invited the author to watch led the club to the European Cup final When I asked him about it he modestly His final words to me was about my the Cup Final with him and had his but on the way they beat Barcelona on said, ‘we did what we could’. obituary of Norman Hunter – excellent photograph taken with him, together aggregate, but Trevor was the subject of He also attended many of the funerals and a good lad. I certainly hope his with his England cap and Third Division some bizarre decision by the manager, and invited one individual, whose father obituary is in the same class. winners’ medal, which he subsequently as was John Giles and Norman Hunter. and uncle died at the game, to watch the My final words are that he was the most auctioned for the disaster appeal. He didn’t play at Elland Road, Paul Cup Final at his house. self-effacing footballer I have met but Martin has written in the following Reaney did, but played in the Camp Although Bradford had to play at still very strong on the field and very terms about Trevor: ‘despite his Nou. The same was the case with various grounds, including the rugger dependable. Our deepest sympathies to successes Cherry was an understated, Norman Hunter and John Giles save the ground at Odsal, he and Terry managed, his family for such a premature death. unassuming man’. other way round. In the final against incredibly, to keep them in the Second I have had the honour to meet his wife The fire spawned the internationally Bayern he was a non-playing substitute Division. Regrettably, results in 1986/87 at City when Norman and Paul Reaney recognised burns research unit which on the pretext that it was Don Revie’s did not go his way and unfortunately he were on my table. continues today. last team. was sacked early in 1987, to be replaced RIP. .