[prestonian]

I covered the Stanley for 4 or 5 years for The Observer and Roy helped me out week in, week out with photos in the days when it was impossible to get photographers to every game.
Over the years I got to know him well, travelled to a few games with him, and met his wife Alison and the kids, Alison often rushing down to our offices with pics before deadline
We weren't able to pay anything like what the true value of such a great service was, but he still smiled and provided them anyway - Roy's attitude was "I may think you should be paying a bit more for getting all these great photos but even though you're not, you can have them anyway because it's good for Stanley the more coverage and exposure they get."
A true football fan, a real gentleman and one of those people you knew probably wouldn't have a bad word for anyone.
I was so delighted for him when his son was born - and of course Stanley had to be his middle name!
I've only watched Stanley once since I left the Ob in 2003 but whenever I hear they've had a result, it's people like Roy I think about, loyal supporters revelling in their success and fully deserving it.
My thoughts go out to Alison and his family - please pass my condolences on if anyone sees them - and I wish I could have seen him thanked and rewarded more for the massive help he gave to me.
Jim Wilkinson