Albert James

We received an e-mail this weekend from Ken Routledge who informed us of the passing of former United player Albert James. Albert played 37 times for Torquay in the 1938/39 season and scored 2 goals. He joined the club from Chesterfield and moved on to Crystal Palace after his spell at Plainmoor. Albert died on Sunday March 30th 2008 aged 92 years.

We will let Ken explain the picture:

He had the pleasure of meeting the present football team about 2 years ago when you played at Darlington Football Club (the team where he started his football career) Albert is the gentleman sat on the front left of the picture.

I would like to thank you once again for the smile you brought to Albert that day. He had just gone in to a wheel chair and was very embarrassed about it, but after the lads had chat with him they said, "don't be so daft, without it you would have been stuck in the home instead of being here watching us" to which Albert replied "after that game I might have been better off at home"

But the banter with the lad did Albert the world of good.

I am the activities coordinator for the care home where Albert spent the last three years. If all sports clubs took a leaf from the lower clubs respect, time and patience shown that day by Torquay and the help given by Darlington football club not only on that but a few time since. My Job would be much easier to do.

I wish all at Torquay United a life as long, happy useful and healthy as Albert James had.

Thanks again on behalf of Albert, his family and all his friends here at Cedar Court Care Centre in Seaham, County Durham

Ken Routledge