Roy Ellam: Mirfield gym owner pays heartfelt tribute to ‘perfect father and grandfather’ after sad passing of former Huddersfield Town star
A heartfelt tribute has been paid by the daughter of former Huddersfield Town, Bradford City and Leeds United footballer, and “great family man”, Roy Ellam.
The ex-professional footballer sadly died earlier this month, aged 83, after suffering with vascular dementia for three and a half years.
He is survived by wife, Margaret, children Jeannie and Graham, and grandchildren Raull, Giovanna and Bethany.
A glittering playing career started at Valley Parade as a 16-year-old scholar and also included over 200 appearances, across two spells, as well as a promotion to the top tier, at Huddersfield.
He also travelled to America with his family where he played for Philadelphia Atoms and Washington Diplomats, even playing against the legendary Pele, before finishing his life in football as manager at Gainsborough Trinity in 1980.
Roy then ran the Nelson Inn pub in Thornhill Lees and then owned The Gate pub in Dewsbury for ten years before retiring at 60.
Since then he worked in Jeannie’s Fitness Connection gym in Ravensthorpe, before she named the current gym she owns on Huddersfield Road in Mirfield in her father’s - and “idol’s” - name, Roy Ellam’s Premier Health Club.
Paying tribute to her dad, Jeannie, who along with her husband, Mo, her mum, and children Raull and Giovanna, had cared for Roy in the Mirfield house they live in, told the Reporter Series:
“He was our hero and our idol. He was the perfect father and the perfect grandfather. He was loving, caring, and he looked after us all, so it was only right we looked after him in his time of need.
“We used to love listening to him and his stories at home. He was such a great family man. He loved family holidays, going on cruises, and taking us to America. And he doted on his three grandchildren.
“We named the gym in his name as he was so well known and a legend in the local area. He would meet and greet the customers and they all loved him.
“He was a people’s person and an absolute legend.”
Support and tributes from the gym and the world of football have poured in for the family since the news of Roy’s passing.
“It has been overwhelming,” Jeannie said. “It has lifted us. The support from our gym group, Huddersfield Town, Leeds United and Bradford City has been amazing.
“Andy Booth and the lovely ladies in the office at Huddersfield Town always helped him and were great. And we also received help and support from the PFA in the last couple of years when we needed it too.”
Roy’s funeral will take place at Wakefield Crematorium on Wednesday, March 18, at 11.15am, followed by a celebration of his life at Capri in Horbury Bridge.
Donations will be made to Dementia UK.