SUFFOLK FA Honorary Life Vice President Roger Cox has passed away, aged 75.

Roger passed on Wednesday evening after a short but aggressive illness.

A committee member and then Chair of the St Edmundsbury League, Roger represented the league on the Suffolk FA Council.

Roger was presented with The FA 50-Year Service Award in September alongside Bill Tinkler, a fellow stalwart of football in West Suffolk.

They received their awards from Suffolk FA President David Sheepshanks CBE DL and Suffolk FA Director Bruce Badcock at Bury Town’s Pitching In Isthmian North match versus Heybridge Swifts. Roger (right) is pictured above with David Sheepshanks.

Suffolk FA Chief Executive Richard Neal said: “All at Suffolk FA are deeply saddened by the passing of Honorary Life Vice President and recent recipient of the FA 50-Year Service Award, Mr Roger Cox.

“Roger dedicated a huge portion of his life to providing football opportunities for others, which was most evident during the presentation of his award at Bury Town FC with many people coming up to say hello to him and how they’d played in the St Edmundsbury League during his involvement.

“He was both a gentle man and a gentleman, with a kind nature and lovely sense of humour. It was always a pleasure to spend time in his company, always asking how others were including family members.

“He will be sorely missed but fondly remembered by all those fortunate to have spent time in his company, and our thoughts and condolences are with all of Roger’s family and friends.”

Roger was born on September 15th 1946 and grew up in Mitcham, Surrey.

After son Jon was born in 1969 the following year Roger relocated to Bury St Edmunds to help build West Suffolk Hospital, where he played football every lunchtime whilst building the Hospital and also playing for Sicklesmere in the local Bury Saturday league.

Roger followed his son’s football career from primary onwards and when Jon joined Thomas Ridley’s in 1989, Roger got involved, eventually became club secretary and treasurer.

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

He became a committee member of the St Edmundsbury League in the 2005-06 season and was subsequently Chair until the league ceased at the end of the 2019-20 season.

Roger represented the league on the Suffolk FA Council before being elected as an Honorary Life Vice President of Suffolk FA in 2020.

Suffolk teams are invited to hold a minute’s silence prior to their forthcoming match in Roger’s memory.