Ex Burnley FC director dies

Richard Boothman held the Turf Moor position during the reign of chairman Bob Lord as the club enjoyed some of its greatest success.

The lifelong Clarets fan saw the team play in the FA Cup final at Wembley and travelled with the club to Naples for their famous victory in Europe in the 60s.

During his life, the war veteran was a chartered accountant with Worsley & Boothman in St James’s Row and also became president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Boothman moved to the town from Great Harwood aged six and attended St Peter’s Primary School and later Todmorden Road Secondary School

His aptitude for maths led his teacher to recommend him to Jack Worsley, a local accountant who took him in as his office junior at five shillings a week.

But at the outbreak of the Second World War, Mr Boothman was called up to the East Lancashire Regiment.

He was blown from his bike in Holland in October 1944 suffering head and upper body injuries. He was left with a permanent loss of hearing.

Mr Worsley had kept his job open for him and he started back in April 1945. He met his wife-to-be, Una, who was a nurse during a hospital stay. They were married on September 3rd, 1949.

He qualified as a chartered accountant in November 1952 and was invited to become a partner in the practice that became Worsley and Boothman in October 1956 – and it is still there on St James’ Row today.

Mr Boothman had joined the Junior Chamber of Commerce and became their president in 1959. He was behind the making of a film produced to market the town to large employers in the UK and Europe.

He was also treasurer for the Burnley Council of Social Services which ran the Citizens Advice Bureau and served for many years assisting Simon Towneley with his development of Gawthorpe.

On retirement Mr Boothman and his wife both volunteered for duty at the Oxfam shop and helped for many years.

He moved to live with his daughter Carol in Preston, and lost his wife in 2009.

He continued to attend Burnley home games until he died, at home with Carol and her family.

He leaves three daughters and seven grandchildren. His funeral will take place on Monday.