Tributes paid to Christian football league founder
Tributes have been paid to Norfolk Christian Football League stalwart and former church youth worker and teacher, Alan Barnes, who has died at the age of 62.
Alan, who held numerous roles in the NCFL for 42 years and was an elder at Norwich Central Baptist Church (NCBC), leaves wife Sally and sons Matthew, Phillip and Daniel.
Sally said, "My dear husband Alan; I will always remember him as loving, caring, gentle, humble and a great encourager. He had such enthusiasm and zest for living life to the full despite his numerous health issues. A special husband who actually lived out his faith in everyday life."
His sons said, "He was an incredible father and wonderful person. We will miss him and his presence so much. The hundreds of people he knew and helped will share this feeling. The world doesn't feel the same."
Alan was involved in many aspects of the church, first at Dereham Road Baptist Church and then at NCBC. Alan was a talented musician, regularly leading worship. He was also a gifted preacher and service leader. He ran holiday clubs, social events and youth groups.
Rev Tom Madders, Senior Minister at NCBC said, “Alan has been an integral part of the fellowship at Norwich Central Baptist Church for many years. His faith was evident through the life he lived, and he was always at the heart of church activities. As well as being one of the leaders of the church, he was involved in the church football team, he administered the foodbank, he supervised the distribution of food to underprivileged families in the area, and he always served people with grace, humility, and humour.
“Alan was dearly loved by many people, both within the church and further afield, and he will be sorely missed. We are very sad to lose such a wonderful man, but we give thanks that his suffering is over and we thank God for a life well lived.”
Alan was a founding member at the football league at the tender age of 19, back in 1979, and took over as league secretary from the founder, Don Wilson, and continued in this post for eight years while also running the Dereham Road Baptist Church team.
Alan helped to establish and run the flourishing youth league and has been the ever-present fixtures secretary for the youth section. He has run both Silver Road and NCBC teams in his time and also played for Norwich Vineyard, Cringleford and Silver Road, well into his fifties. In 2013 Alan was given a long-service award by the league.
NCFL chairman, Mike Culwick, paid tribute, saying: “Alan had been involved with the Christian League for many years, both as player, manager, fixture secretary and finally as league secretary. He was on the committee that founded the youth league in 1995 and has been an inspiration to many of us in recent years. His dedication and attention to detail ensured the league ran smoothly, especially when problems arose during the season.
“He was a man of faith who never gave up and prayer was his weapon in times of adversity. Two words spring to mind when I think of Alan are humility and grace. He will be greatly missed but we give thanks to God that Alan has gone to be with his Saviour, Jesus.”
Acting League Secretary, Paul Nice, said: “Alan epitomised what the Christian league is about in terms of connecting faith and community through football - the NCFL vision. A great example of this is how Alan made contact with many young people in the NR3 area of Norwich through his football coaching work at George White Junior School and the Silver Road youth teams that developed out of this initiative. Many young people have enjoyed NCFL football through the Silver Road teams as a result of Alan's vision for the club.
“This vision and quiet efficiency was further seen in Alan's leadership in the wider Christian Football League where he played a key role, over many years, in enabling the league to bless so many children and young adults through football in a Christian environment. I often noted to myself how Alan always wanted to pray about all the issues that arose in the league. This was a sign of his deep faith in God and how he cares about all our issues. Alan was a quietly inspiring man.”
Alan completed his teacher training at Mile Cross Primary and later taught at Falcon Junior School. He was highly respected by his colleagues who remember him as a kind, gentle soul with a dry and funny sense of humour. He is remembered for his encouragement of staff and pupils. One former colleague said, "Alan was endlessly enthusiastic and hard working, unafraid to ask for advice. As a mature student this meant learning from staff younger than him which he did with a grace and humility that was typical of him."