Roy was a lovely man who spared a lot of time to me when I joined Staffs Moorlands a good while back. My very best wishes go to his family - especially to Paul, who was an inspiration to me when I was running.

I had the privilage of knowing roy in the 60's as a clubmate in north staffs & stone harriers, roy being the top runner at the time which as we had about 6 international runners and junior champions then was pretty remarkable. i remember after cross country races in trentham park we used to go across to the gardens to wash off in the old tin baths. i used to wonder how someone so small could run so fast.
i remember passing him in a race just before the finish he encouraged me to push on to the finish,? but thinking back that might have been a training run fond memorys though of you roy..

derek hoye
perth western australia

Roy Fowler is a legend in North Staffordshire. He was obviously a tremendous athlete and an inspirational individual. Unfortunately I never had the privilege of meeting him. However I hope this piece about his life, which Mike Baggaley wrote in The Sentinel, is a fitting tribute: http://www. thisisstaffordshire. co.uk/news/ Athletics-Roy- Fowler-obituary/ article-1120563- detail/article.html
Mike Sassi, Editor-in-Chief, Staffordshire Sentinel News and Media

Roy was simply the best runner North Staffordshire has produced. The young lads he coached at Staffordshire Moorlands a c will have had the best possible advice and a solid foundation to build on during their training and racing. when i hear the phrase 'What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve' it surely brings Roy to mind!
Thanks for all your advice and idea's Roy, especially when i competed for GB in Singapore, your words remain with me.... we shall miss your dedication and hard work!

All the best for now.. Mark Dalkins

The word, which is repeatedly used to describe Roy, is “inspirational”. As current manager of the Moorlands Men’s team, I have watched Roy motivate, encourage and inspire athletes of all ages and very much in a hands-on way. Well into his 70’s, Roy was still standing trackside coaching in sub zero temperatures. On race day, Roy would be on his knees in the club tent, rubbing oil into the legs of youngsters nearly 60 years his junior and when he spoke, they listened. The real sign of the “legend” however, is that Roy is continuing to inspire young athletes even now and I am in the privileged position to witness that. Roy’s legacy will continue in the way he would have wanted. Thank you for all your help and support Roy.

Titch

I was in the fortunate position of coaching alongside and learning from Roy for the past 3-4 years. The biggest honour I have is when Roy asked me look after his group during his illness. He has made me the coach I am now and also the coach I will remain, his knowledge and motivation was second to none. More importantly than this is that I can class Roy as my friend, we spent week upon week coaching Roy’s group in all manor of Staffordshire weather nothing would stop the great man from encouraging the group. The stories he had were great. To sum Roy up is hard however at his last training session we meet up as usual on Saturday morning Roy clearly in pain holding his stomach he explained that was due to be rushed by ambulance to hospital on Friday but delayed it as he wanted to see the group before hand to run through their training that was the true grit of the man. I have never made such a close friend in such a short time you will always be my inspiration thank you Roy.

Terry Fowler

I am Roy's daughter Teresa,

I want to thank everyone for there comments, I will miss him so much, he was the best, I dont know what I am going do with out him.

Love you to bits dad

Teresa xx

I first met Roy in 1983 he was coaching at Birchall Track. He would shout "Feel for the rhythm" I used to think what the heck is he on about. Until I became faster and he meant feel for YOUR rhythm not the guy in front or behind. His advice was always invaluable. He had a wealth of experience told in his own unique and spell-binding way. He taught me never to give up until you cross that line! I often dropped in to see Roy to bounce ideas off or do some building work for him, but it never felt like work. Speak to Roy and it all became simple. Even when I broke my foot and was told to stop running, Roy said, as he took me round the various hospitals "They can put a man on the moon but they cant fix your foot! We'll soon see about that". 2yrs later I was back running - that was Roy. If He thought it could be done, IT COULD. Roy can never be replaced,we can only hope that his quest for perfection at Staffs moorlands a.c. will be carried on in Roy's "no cutting corners" way.
Pete Martin

I first met Roy Fowler many years ago. My husband ran a Birmingham cross country league for Staffordshire Moorlands a.c. The club that Roy founded. He was the one who remembered that first meeting better than I. It was a bitterly cold winters day, and a group of Moorland runners had traveled on a coach to the meeting. When every athlete had gone to warm up there was a quiet moment in the gym we were in, only a few spectators waiting for the start of the race. I asked Roy if he would like a hot drink from my flask, and he said "oh yes, that would be lovely". Little did I know that, this very small gesture of mine would stay with Roy to be recalled many times.He would repay this many times over not least when my sister was diagnosed with cancer. Roy was on the phone constantly giving support and true friendship. Never once did he leave me in need even though I probably drove him daft! He also coached my son, and my daughter adored being his 'assistant' . My heart goes out to his family. We all loved and respected him SO much.

My first memories of Roy were Sunday mornings back when I was about 16 (10yrs ago), I used to meet his sons' Paul and Anthony at their pigeon shed for our long run, Roy was always there and he'd always greet me "hello friend". After a few weeks I learned that this small, silver haired man was once a World x-country champion. Every Sunday morning we'd talk running, Roy had so many stories to tell of his great rivals like Gaston Roelants and Ron Hill. I have often thought why doesn't Roy have the fame that many of the athletes in the 1960s had? He was a world champion! My only conclusion after getting to know him was that he was too humble to take the lime light and to 'down to earth' to want it.
Roy is someone I will never forget. It has been an honor to have had Roy coach me as I'm sure his other athletes will agree. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him. He had so much passion for his sport and for life. Passion that has been passed on to all he met.

Till we meet again Friend

Steve

Roy was an inspiration to anyone who became involved with running ! Sunday morning runs up Mont Blanc were the basis of Roys training methods which led to me being honoured to be part of the team that won the National 6 man Road relay in 1972.
Also in 1975 I finished 44th in national cross country champs while at the age of 40 Roy finished 21st and may have made the England team had he not stopped to re-tie his laces, such was his fitness and enthusiasm even as a veteran.
Thank you for all you did to inspire me to the levels I achieved during our time together at Stoke and Staffs Moorlands.

What an inspiring life story to read. My condolences to Mr Fowler's family and friends. You must be very very proud of him.