Passion took Ken Woodhouse to the very top of Shrewsbury Town
Ken Woodhouse was admired by people who met him from many walks of life.
He was an avid Shrewsbury Town supporter. His passion took him right to the top of the club as he went on to become director, chairman and president.
Woodhouse passed away in July, leaving fond memories among associates, a proud family and close friends from his time within football as well as within the armed forces and in the building trade.
Current club chairman Roland Wycherley described Woodhouse as ‘always polite and got on with everyone, but he was a strong and steely character who always kept his word’.
He added: “Ken was a chairman who will be remembered for helping the club to continue through some tough times.”
No doubt his strong and steely boardroom persona was partly shaped in the Army.
Born just four months after the end of the First World War, Woodhouse enlisted in the Army in October 1939 and played an active role throughout the Second World War.
Serving in the Royal Engineers, he often spoke to his family about long and dangerous sea voyages as part of a huge convoy protected by battleships and frigates. It took them, via the coast of America, down and across the Atlantic, around South Africa and up through the Suez canal to Egypt.
He was part of the night time mine clearance at El Alemain, where British tanks then advanced the following morning as battles against Nazi Germany and Italy commenced at the railway halt. Woodhouse also served in Sicily, where his troop were departed for the Liberation of Rome.
Life after war was centred around family and progressing his father Alfred’s building firm.
AH Woodhouse & Sons Limited were a reputable and renowned local business that was started from scratch by Alfred Henry Woodhouse after the family had moved from a Cruckmeole farm where Ken had spent his childhood years, alongside six brothers and sisters.
The family had moved to Radbrook and Woodhouse – who was educated at Prestfelde Preparatory School and Denstone College – joined the family firm, where he eventually became manager and also a master builder.
A tribute, shared at his recent funeral, helped shine light on Woodhouse’s pride in his work, revealing that ‘many people have commented just how well respected Ken was for his qualities of reliability, concern for others and doing the right thing’.
He married Barbara Coleman in 1946, who also grew up in Cruckmeole, and the pair moved to a first home in Oakfield Road, Shrewsbury, and later to Well Meadow Gardens, where they lived in a AH Woodhouse-built home.
They would also spend time in the Lyth Bank and Meole Brace areas of the town. In all four of their homes, pride of place was the garden, growing crops and vegetables.
The couple had two children, Paul and Jane.
He left behind 11 grandchildren and step grandchildren.
The other burning passion in Woodhouse’s life was his football club. He always had a passion for sport, and featured for Cound Cricket Club as well as his Prestfelde school side, but football and Shrewsbury Town was a hugely significant part of his life.
When Barbara died, Woodhouse’s involvement with the football club helped him cope with the loss.
The tribute went on to read ‘Ken was devastated when Barbara died, but gradually came to terms with life without her. His spirit of determination and strength of character saw him through many difficult times.
A saving grace, in many ways, was his involvement with Shrewsbury Town Football Club’.
Woodhouse held a strong affiliation with the club for many years and became chairman in 1984, a position he held for seven years throughout much of the club’s most successful period.
He was president from 1991 until 2002.
After battling illness for a year, the former tradesman upped sticks and headed to the West Country to be near to family members in Torbay.
The tribute added: “He enjoyed life and was very proud of all his family.
“He retained his interest in Shrewsbury Town FC, attending matches in Devon whenever possible.
“His keen sense of humour, his indomitable spirit, his smile and his kind heart endeared him to family, friends and the people who cared for him.”
Not just a significant part of Shrewsbury Town’s history but a significant part of the town of Shrewsbury. He is fondly remembered by all that knew him.
