Peter Naylor (right) with his great friend, the late Don Pudsey, watching EI complete a league and cup double in 2011.
Driffield EI and sport in general was a big part of Peter’s life, the rest of which he dedicated to his family, and could often be seen watching his grandchildren play sport.
Although Peter was a huge cricket fan, football played the biggest part of his sporting life, and he was involved with Driffield EI for about 60 years, while also representing the Driffield & District Football League for many years.
Peter played for Driffield EI Minors and first played senior football for EI in the 1959/60 season and played with the club for the best part of 25 years, only taking two seasons out to play for Nafferton in the early 1980s. But he also held other roles with EI for many years,
Peter also played Sunday football for Mill Lane Beverley and during the summer months he played tennis for Harpham LTC and occasionally played cricket for his works team, Bradshaw’s, where he worked all his working life.
Peter, along with good friend Don Pudsey – who passed away last year – helped keep Driffield EI going and they are the main reason the club is still going strong today, with two teams. The first team play in Humber Premier League Division One with the Reserve side playing in East Riding County League Division Two. Previously Driffield EI spent decades in the Driffield & District Football League before switching leagues in recent seasons.
Current Driffield EI manager, Dave Lawson, said: “At the start of the 1970/71 season Peter took on the role of club secretary and only handed over the position when he became club chairman in 2011.
“Peter set very high standards both on and off the field and has played a major part in developing the ‘EI Family’.
“To say that Pete was an ‘EI stalwart’ is a major understatement.”
On a more personal note, Dave added: “Tuesday 20th January 2015, the passing away of Pete was the end of another era for Driffield EI.
“Pete dedicated 45 years to running our football club and I feel honoured and privileged to have been at his side both on and off the field.
“EI family have lost one of their father figures. Pete was special.
“RIP Pete – you will never know how much the lads and WAGS respected you.”
Peter was still a member of the Driffield & District Football League committee even though there is no longer a team from Driffield EI playing in the league. He was made Vice-President in 1997/8 season and a Life Vice-President in 2005/6 season.
Norman Harris, Hon League and Cup Secretary of the Driffield & District Football League, said: “Peter was always interested in what was going on in the local football area and attended many of the Driffield finals at Allotment Lane.
“I first met Peter when he was Driffield EI secretary in the Driffield & District Football League, a post he held for many seasons.
“I still spoke to Peter on many occasions when I would see him walking down The Mount and I was heading to the football pitches up Allotment Lane. We would stop and have a catch up on local football matters.
“Peter was a wonderful man and will be sadly missed by all his friends and colleagues who knew him in the local football leagues.”
Life President of the Driffield & District Football League, Don Bemrose, 82, said: “What a wonderful man. What Peter didn’t know about local football wasn’t worth knowing, its a simple as that.
“He put so much time into football. A friendly person who was great for local football, and it was always nice to see him. I thought the world about him.
“To lose the likes of Peter is a devastating blow. I don’t get about as much now as I would like to, but I have missed seeing the likes of Peter. He will be missed.”
Former Driffield EI captain, and friend of the family, Dave Potter, said: “We have lost one of Driffield’s finest.
“Peter has been a massive influence on my own life. He was honest, kind, articulate and a great role model for me.
“As an aspiring youngster I looked up to him with respect and admiration and hung on to every word he said.
“As a footballer he was a true sportsman, respected by his teammates and opponents.
“My heart goes out to all Peter’s family, as this is a great loss and he will be very sadly missed by all.
“Pete and Don Pudsey – who we have also just lost – have been the main two spearheads for Driffield EI for decades and have seen players come and go but they have been a great example to all of how football should be played and what manner it should be played in.
“The final whistle for full time has come too early for my mentor and great friend.”
Peter’s funeral will be held at the Driffield Parish Church on Wednesday 4th February at 1pm.