Campion stalwart Delroy Dacres steps down from hot-seat

Delroy Dacres retired from football at the end of last season after winning 14 trophies for Campion FC – including four Premier Division cups.

But, after 25 years in the hot-seat, manager Dacres, who won the league’s special award in 2004, was quick to admit that he was glad to finally move on.

“I think I’ve deserved the rest and I haven’t missed it so far,” said Dacres.

“I’ve been to a couple of pre-season games and watched the team from afar, which was nice to do.

“Not having the pressure on is great for me. I’d usually be bubbling at this point of the year but I’ve been a lot calmer and relaxed at home.

“I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I used to and once you stop enjoying it as a volunteer, it’s time to give up.

“The camaraderie and seeing all the young lads come through the ranks, and some even moving up into management, was always a great feeling.

“But it was really time that someone younger took charge and I hope they have a successful season this year without me.

“I think it’s still a bit raw though and by the winter time I might start to wonder what I’m going to do instead.”

Despite the success that Dacres managed on the field, he did not believe that was his greatest accomplishment in the sport.

He said: “What was my biggest achievement? To bring so many ethnicities together.

“Winning trophies was great but to see how far we’ve come with the amount of ethnic minorities now playing in the West Riding County Amateur League is the most important thing for me.”

Under Dacres’ stewardship, Campion won the West Riding County FA Challenge Cup in 2006-07, the Premier Division League Cup four times, including three in succession (from 2006 to 2008), and the Bradford & District FA Saturday Senior Cup three times (2000, 2010, 2012).

Further league honours included the Division Two title and League Cup in 1990 and the Division One crown and League Cup in 1993.

Campion also lifted the West Riding County FA’s Charity Shield in 2007.