Former Burnley scout leader whose footballing father played in famous victory over Real Madrid dies aged 90

A former Burnley scouting leader has died three months after contracting Covid-19.
Doreen CarsonDoreen Carson
Doreen Carson

Doreen Carson was admitted to hospital just weeks after celebrating her 90th birthday. She died in Dove Court nursing home in Burnley.

Born in Kingston upon Thames, she was adopted as a baby by a Burnley couple, Harry and Mary Clegg.

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Harry was a WW1 veteran of the Dardenelles campaign, a champion boxer in the army and a well-known sportsman in the area. He played in goal for Nelson FC in the 1920s.

He was a member of the team that toured Spain in 1923 and famously beat Real Madrid 4 - 2. They went on to beat Manchester United 1 - 0 the same year.

Doreen was often interviewed by local media and regional TV about Nelson’s glory days. Of course, Real Madrid and United were not the most famous football clubs in the world 100 years ago.

Doreen passed the 11-plus in the early days of the war, but at a time when families did not always spend money on their daughters’ education, she went to Walshaw High School.

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For many years she worked as a machinist at the garment sewing factory at Bank Top across from Burnley Central Station. Later she managed Kitchencraft in Burnley centre before becoming manager of the furniture department at Pendle House Co-op department store.

The church played a big part in her life. For many years she and her husband Frank were members of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Colne Road.

When it closed, the congregation switched to Burnley Lane Baptists, and later to Briercliffe Road Church, where a private service will be held on Thursday, August 6th.

In her days at Ebenezer, Doreen ran the Cub Group for many years. Frank helped with the Scouts. Some of their proteges remained in touch all her life.

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Doreen grew up in Stoneyholme, where she also began her married life. She and Frank loved cycling around Lancashire and the Lake District and later spent many happy holidays nearby in Silverdale.

In 1962 the family moved to Ightenhill Park Lane, on the edge of the countryside, with a house full of dogs, cats, rabbits, budgies, and a tortoise.

Doreen’s three sons, Robert, David and Andrew, all attended Burnley Grammar School at the same time. She also has four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Robert still lives near Burnley, Andrew in Leicester. David lives in Western Australia and is prevented from attending the funeral due to travel restrictions.