STALYBRIDGE Celtic welcomed club legend Geoff Fry back to Bower Fold for their FA Trophy win over Yorkshire Amateurs.
Geoff, played 166 times for the club between 1963-68, scoring 79 goals, was presented with a signed match ball at half time by Celtic director Keith Smart and received a round of applause from the crowd.
Keith said: “It was an honour and a privilege to present Geoff with a signed ball. I was a lad of around 10 years of age when I first saw Geoff play, and he was one of my earliest idols from my formative years following Celtic.
“He scored 79 goals from 166 matches and wasn’t even the main striker. What he did for the club was amazing.
“Geoff’s not in the best of health at present, so I hope this gesture has given him a boost.”
Geoff, 79, is suffering from dementia and has lived in a care home in Cheshire for the last two years.
He was raised in Wythenshawe and represented Manchester Boys and winning four caps for England Boys before joining Manchester City where Harry Dowd and Fred Eyre were among his peers.
After failing to make the grade at City, Geoff had a successful career in non-league playing for Stalybridge Celtic, Hyde United and Ashton United as well as Runcorn, Grasmere Rovers and Northern Nomads.
He was Celtic’s leading scorer with 32 goals in 1965-66, including a perfect record from 14 penalties, and leading marksman in 1966-67 with 26 goals.
Geoff was also a successful businessman and owner of Oldham nightclub/hotel Smokies Park which he ran from 1971-2006 after taking over the business from his parents who founded it.
went to school with geoff {yew tree) he was a legend @ school, no one could get the ball off him, 6 boys would surround him he twisted and turned pass the lot of them ! !
I worked for geoff fry at smokies night club 1977 to 1993 i was the dj there. Best years of my life. He was a great guy to work with .chris
I first met Geoff when he upgraded Smokies Nightclub many he years ago. I worked for Victoria Carpets and helped with the designs. He was an absolute pleasure to do business with and we became close friends at the time. I have never in my life met anyone with as much bounce and energy for life as Geoff. I often think of him (and his many stories). So sad to hear of his current health issues. God bless you old pal.
I was a neighbour of Geoff and Lynne iat mereside road.
They were always great people to know and good friends.
Geoff was a toughnut at the club but always fair and not scared to muck in if there was a fight, I always remember him bollocking the bouncers for having to sort out a fight at the nightclub.. a great guy and much love to him and the family.
I was the Head Housekeeper at Smokies he was a brilliant Boss and approachable and understanding and open to ideas and had very high standards he taught me a lot
Worked with Jeff at HSP from 1988 to 2006. Some great times and happy memories.
Hi. Could anyone tell me if Geoff Fry is still alive. I knew him years ago but lost touch.
Yes he is still alive.