Hall of Fame – Walter Gandy
Walter Gandy
Involvement in local football
Referee (member of the Chester Referees Society) in Cheshire amateur leagues & cup competitions – including the Chester & District Football League (early 1900s) / Chester & Runcorn Football League (1913-14 to 1920s)
He played upfront for the Chester Referees Society team in a match v Wirral Referees Society at Tranmere in 1914 (Wirral won)
In later years he became Secretary of Chester Referees Society, and by 1939 he was Vice-President
- Chester & District Football League – Hon. Finance Secretary from 1908-09 onwards until the early 1920s
- Chester & District Football League – Second Division Secretary 1914-15
Note – the Football League & amateur Leagues were suspended during WW1 due to the high number of players joining the Armed Forces. The Chester & Runcorn Football League continued until the end of the 1914-15 Season & was then suspended until after WW1. The Chester & Runcorn Football League resumed for the 1918-19 Season.
- Chester & District Sunday Scholars League – he took over as League Secretary in February 1914 until the next AGM (the CDSSL folded due to the outbreak of WW1 & the remaining teams joined the CDFL Second Division – it was not reformed after WW1)
- Chester & Runcorn FA Council – 1908 onwards – according to The Observer (Chester’s local newspaper) on Saturday 17th February 1940 he had achieved 32 years ‘Long Service’. He was appointed Secretary 3 years later in 1943
Note – with the outbreak of WW2 the Football League & all other Leagues including the Chester & District Football League were suspended (the Chester & District Football organised ‘Friendly’ matches – after a month it was allowed to resumed. The West Cheshire League remained dormant throughout WW2.
- Chester & Runcorn Football League (reverted to Chester & District Footballs League in the mid / late 1920s) – Hon. League Secretary appointed during the early 1920s (not sure of the exact year) he continued until the AGM in 1942 when a new Secretary was voted in
- Chester & District Football League – Hon. Finance & Fixtures Secretary appointed (volunteered) at the AGM 1942 – he was still in post by December 1945
It is not clear as to when Walter retired.
Other Activities (WW2)
- Park Drive (Hoole) Victory Celebrations Committee – Hon. Secretary
Family
Dad : Harry Gandy – Chairman of the Chester Cooperative Society 1913-1937
Son: Stanley ‘Stan’ Gandy – a well known local footballer before WW2 he played for Buckley Town in the Chester & District Football League (& also for Wrexham as an amateur). He served in the RAF during WW2 reaching the rank of Sergeant. In October 1940 he was appointed Secretary of the ‘Desert League’ in the Far East that was composed of 7 Military teams. He was Chester FC’s Club Secretary in the 1960s.
If it was not for the service & dedication of likes of Walter Gandy that worked hard to keep the League going through difficult times then we would not be here today.