Tribute to a true gent

By Martin Walker

Google the word ‘generosity’ and the first result you’ll see is Wikipedia’s definition of the word.

‘Generosity is the habit of giving freely without expecting anything in return,’ says the web’s free encyclopedia.

If only Google could rank people in their results for ‘generosity’, because that’s one of many words which sums up this wonderful man.

The world sadly lost one of life’s true gentlemen on Boxing Day, 2011, when Frank Batley passed away peacefully at Bethany House in Aycliffe, aged 76.

His beloved Newton Aycliffe FC had beaten derby rivals Bishop Auckland 2-1 earlier that day – Frank would have been kicking every single ball – and last week Moore Lane Park fell silent for a minute before their derby at home to Shildon, a touching 60 seconds to celebrate his life which was observed impeccably by all 280-plus people inside the ground.

Frank was one of the first faces on the scene when Aycliffe started out in the Wearside League four years ago. He was one of the founding members of the Newton Aycliffe FC Supporters Club and he has witnessed the club’s euphoric rise through the leagues, been to every game and celebrated every mortal goal as Aycliffe enjoyed an historic title win last season.

But if I was to pick out one day which defined the man, it would be a chilly February afternoon on the West coast of Cumbria.

February 19, 2011, to be precise. We’d all made the windy trek to Whitehaven – 100 miles across the Pennines on Aycliffe’s promotion bandwagon – as Allan Oliver’s side hoped to continue a remarkable unbeaten run on their way to the second division championship.

Players and management shared a large coach with fans, and like a true Boy Scout, Frank had come prepared. He’d already been dishing out pork pies and sausage rolls from his bag of treats on the way over, and he wouldn’t go to any game without his trademark matchday penchant, a bag full of Black Bullets.

Frank, like all of us, was expecting a good day out, and a win. But Whitehaven hadn’t read the script. They took an early two-goal lead, and some of the Aycliffe contingent had grown anxious as their side trailed 2-1 at the break. Not Frank.

“We’ll win this easily,” he said to me during the half-time interval. “Get Dan Mellanby on in the second half and we’ll be alright.”

Boss Oliver duly obliged. On came Mellanby to inspire a superb comeback, scoring one and making another two as Aycliffe romped to a 4-2 victory to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

The celebrations began at Whitehaven’s Focus Scaffolding Sports Complex, a tidy little ground with a half-decent clubhouse. But the post-match food left a lot to be desired – a sort of beans soup resembling something from a Cow & Gate jar – and the screwed-up faces among the Aycliffe squad painted a damning review of the local delicacy.

“Not to worry,” said Frank, as he rummaged through his bag of delights to produce a tupperware box containing about 30 Mars bars, which he then proceeded to share among his fellow Newtonians.

Clearly, Frank had read the script, and had perhaps done his research on the after-match servings at Whitehaven. “You’re a life-saver, Frank!” munched one of the players.

The Aycliffe bus bounced back across the Pennines, celebrating a brilliant comeback and another fine win. It was the mobile party of all parties, and Frank wasn’t done with his hand-outs. Next to appear from his Mary Poppins-style hold-all was a large bottle of Bells whisky, which coach Brian Atkinson quickly took a liking to.

And so Frank’s new nickname was coined. “He’s the beard-less Santa!” said one slightly inebriated player, and it stuck. A man who was already one of the most popular faces at Moore Lane Park – he was later crowned Supporter of the Year – had just earned himself legendary status, and he didn’t even know it.

His generosity wasn’t to gain acclaim, but was purely acts of kindness sadly rarely seen these days. So it was no surprise to see a packed Neville’s Parade Methodist Church on Wednesday January 4, as Aycliffe players, management and fans joined his family and friends for a beautiful service to celebrate his life, as the congregation heard moving tributes to Frank, who was described as a “true Christian gentleman”.

Frank was born on November 9, 1935, in Leadgate, but spent nearly all his childhood and young adult life in Consett. He served his apprenticeship as a bricklayer and served in Cyprus during his National Service.

His passion in his youth was dancing, which brought he and wife Sylvia together. They married in 1960 and moved to Newton Aycliffe to bring up their daughters, Angela and Sandra.

Frank maintained a keen interest in gardening as well as his football, and was a member of the working men’s club leek section for many years and the Darlington Dahlia and Chrysanthemem Society. His wife Sylvia passed away in 2001.

Frank will be hugely missed by his daughters, their families, his many friends and, of course, everyone at Newton Aycliffe FC, who will all have their own recollections of a brilliant man.

One day in Whitehaven is my favourite memory. You, I’m sure, will have yours…