ROGER Cox said he was ‘very honoured’ to become a Life Member of Suffolk FA.

The 73-year-old, who lives in Bury St Edmunds, was elected as a Life Member at Thursday evening’s online Annual General Meeting of Suffolk FA.

Roger represented the St Edmundsbury Football League on the Suffolk FA Council for the past decade.

He joined the league’s committee before taking over as chairman from Peter Utting following the league’s centenary in the 2007-08 season.

Roger, who is a Crystal Palace fan, said being involved in football had given him a lot of pleasure over many years.

“I just like watching football, including going to county cup finals over the years, and I am very honoured to be offered the opportunity to become a Life Member,” he said.

Roger (pictured above) was born in Carshalton and grew up in Mitcham in Surrey, where he played for several local sides before he moved to Bury St Edmunds in 1970.

His job as an electrician saw him relocate to Suffolk to help build the West Suffolk Hospital in the town.

Roger then followed his son Jon’s football career through primary, middle and secondary schools before providing transport for boys located in the Bury area when Jon started playing for Springland Colts in Sudbury.

Roger followed Jon to C&G Bury and then on to Bury Town Youth, assisting wherever needed.

When Jon joined Thomas Ridley’s in 1989, Roger got involved and eventually became club secretary and treasurer, also marking out the pitch, setting up the nets and making the half-time tea.

Roger was then involved in starting Macebearer in 1994, who became Karooze before switching back to Macebearer, where he again became club secretary and treasurer.

After becoming a committee member of the St Edmundsbury League in the 2005-06 season, Roger was elected Chair – a position he held until the league folded at the end of last season.

Suffolk FA Chair Phil Lawler said: “Roger has made such a valuable contribution to local football on a team, club and league basis. I would like to take this opportunity personally and on behalf of the Board of Directors to thank Roger for all his hard work and service to county football and welcome him as a Life Member of the association.”