Lifetime Harrowby United president celebrates his 103rd birthday, marking decades of support for his local football team.
Cliff is the lifetime president of Harrowby United. He became president back in 2001. Before that, he was the chairman for 20 years. He still supports them now and last season was great for Harrowby, seeing them win a big playoff game. Cliff celebrated by putting £200 behind the bar.
Cliff hasn’t seen a game in person lately, not since before his 100th birthday. Reaching 103 feels unreal to him. He lives in Grantham, on Queensway. Cliff thinks his secret is whisky and lemonade that he drinks every night.
He grew up nearby in Gonerby Hill Foot and later, he went to Great Gonerby School. Cliff has always lived in Grantham. His first job paid 50p weekly at The Co-op pub, now called The Tollemache. After that, he worked on the railway and then he repaired tires at Vaculug for 36 years.
Cliff has a son named Paul, plus nieces and nephews. Paul thinks his dad’s age is great because he takes care of himself. Plus, Cliff remembers almost everything, though everyone has bad days sometimes, Paul adds.
Cliff initially ran the bar at Harrowby United and watched them get better and better over time. He credits chairman Mick Atter and his wife, and he also praised the club’s committee. Before turning 100, Cliff visited the club almost every night, six nights per week!
Cliff used to enjoy other things too, like bowls, darts, and cribbage. He liked trips to Malta and he also had a caravan in Skegness. This Saturday, their match program will mention Cliff’s birthday.