Ray Fell, a longtime member of the Leeds United Supporters Club, received tributes.
The devoted fan passed away on Friday night at Leeds General
Infirmary. “He will be missed more than words can say and all of our thoughts are with his son and wife, Howard and Bel, and grandson, Robert,” said a statement released by LUSC chairman Chris Hall.
Ray was one of the founders of LUSC’s Britannia branch in Holbeck and held the positions of treasurer and fundraising secretary before serving as the organization’s chairman for over 31 years.
His membership started over 50 years ago, with Leeds’ inaugural FA Cup final appearance in 1965, when they were defeated by Liverpool at Wembley.
Ray Fell, who was ninety-one, passed away. (Images from National World)
Ray’s health issues forced him to resign in 2016.
“It’s a great disappointment to me,” he stated in a statement at the time. Just as I’ve always been happy to be a part of the Supporters Club, I’ve always worn the position with pride. But I’ve been overtaken by poor health.
The Supporters Club was established in 1919, coinciding with Leeds United’s founding—in fact, it was started slightly earlier—and the two have developed together over the years. In my opinion, the Supporters Club exists to foster ties with Leeds United. We have always made an effort to achieve that.
Ray Fell, a lifelong Leeds supporter, passed away on Friday night. (Image courtesy of National World)
Many Leeds United fans have used social media to express their gratitude for Ray’s lifetime of effort since word of his passing spread. “Ray was an absolute gentleman and Leeds through and through,” one person remarked.
Ray was called a “amazing ambassador for the club” by someone else. “For years, Ray Fell brilliantly represented LUFC fans across the media, sometimes in difficult circumstances, but Ray was always positive, professional, and the voice of the hard-core support,” a third person stated. Ray, rest in heavenly peace.Fell represented about ten thousand Supporters Club members at its peak. Leeds United Supporters Trust (LUST) membership surged before the founding of LUSC, the city’s oldest fan club.
