ONE of York’s finest sporting all-rounders from the 1950s to the 1970s has died after a long illness, aged 71.

Jack Butcher, who died in Meadowbank Care Home, Osbaldwick, after a long illness, suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in recent years.

He played in the all-conquering Rowntree’s football team which dominated the York and district scene and was also a leading York tennis player for 20 years.

He worked as a tennis coach at various clubs and schools, among them Terrington Hall, Archbishop Holgate’s, St Peter’s and York Lawn Tennis Club.

He joined Rowntree’s Football Club in 1960 and went on to set up a record which will probably never be beaten, playing just short of 600 games, mainly at right back.

He had a long spell as captain, and was in the team which won six York FA Senior Cups and five York and District League Division One championships.

He retired after completing 20 years with the Rowntree’s club and then went on to coach Osbaldwick when they had the best team in the York area.

Mr Butcher was initially a member of Railway Institute Tennis Club before joining York Lawn Tennis Club.

He reached his first York Municipal Tennis Tournament men’s singles final in 1956 at the age of 18, and although he lost on that occasion he went on to become champion in 1964 and 1976, when he became the oldest Evening Press trophy winner at 39. That record still stands.

Former Evening Press sports editor Malcolm Huntington said: “I was lucky enough to play and report in the same era as Jack, who was very gifted in both sports. I covered many of the football finals, usually winning ones, and was always impressed with his cool, confident approach – he was never shown the yellow card in some 600 games.

“The same applied to tennis, where he was an attacking player.

“He featured in some marathon matches in Rowntree Park, but was never in argument about a line call.

“He was also among the fittest local sportsmen I have known, and it was a real tragedy that in his later years he suffered so much from such a debilitating illness.”

Mr Butcher leaves his wife, Maureen, son Graeme and daughter Helen.

The funeral is at York Crematorium on Thursday, February 5, at 11.30am.