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Sadness as ‘voice of Salford City Reds’ falls silent

Ailsa Cranna
1/12/2005

TRIBUTES have been paid to the man who was for many the true 'voice' of Salford Reds.

Ron Tierney, the matchday announcer for 40 years, has died aged 84 after battling months of ill-health.

His funeral on Tuesday, November 29 at Agecroft Crematorium was packed out with friends and fellow Reds supporters, including club chairman John Wilkinson, who had all come to pay their respects.

John Wilkinson said: "For many people, Ron was the true voice of the club. He took over the role of matchday announcer for 40 years until 1996, was also compere of The Willows social club from 1966 to 1970 and chairman of the supporters club from 1963 to 1971.

"He lived in nearby Kennedy Road and even when in later years ill-health meant he couldn't attend matches, he still kept up with the scores.

"I last saw him six weeks ago when his daughter was pushing him past in his wheelchair and he stopped for a long chat.

"Ron was the ultimate fan but, apart from that, he was a thoroughly decent man, a fine Salfordian and a man I was proud to call a friend."

Mr Tierney was born in Brewer Street, off Bexley Square, on Chapel Street trained as an accountant before joining the RAF as a mechanic during World War Two. He returned to life as an accountant after the war.

He married Bertha Mewha in 1944 at Irwell Methodist Church, Greengate - the church where they had met as youngsters - and together had four children; three sons and a daughter.

His daughter Barbara said: "Dad was so proud of Salford and of the rugby club. He was taken there as a little boy by his father Austin, a railway worker, and until he became very ill, attended all the matches.

"Even when he was confined to the house, close friend and commercial manager Eric Shaw used to come round on matchdays and fill him in on the scores.

"Eric gave a marvellous speech at my father's funeral. Dad would have been delighted with it and all the good wishes we received on that sad day."