DON LEESONDon Leeson, an ex-professional football player and former policeman, from Grimsby, died aged 73 on 15 February, 2009 following a three-year battle with lung cancer.
Mr Leeson was goalkeeper for Barnsley Football Club from 1956 to 1961, before moving to Grimsby to work as a police constable.
He also ran the Grimsby Police Social Club and the Cromwell Social Club, with his wife Ann.
The couple, who married in 1960 in Askern, the village they grew up in, have three children – Don, Dianne and Janette – and five grandchildren.
Mr Leeson’s son Don said: "The football club promised my parents a house in Barnsley when they were married.
"They were due to move in when the club gave the house to a new player they were trying to secure – so my dad decided to leave!
"At the time, Grimsby police were keen to recruit ex-professional footballers to play in the leagues and to be officers."
Mr Leeson served as a police constable – playing football locally and for the national police team – until his retirement in 1984, when he was able to continue to pursue his love of sport.
Don added: "As is the case with most footballers, dad loved playing sport but wasn't that keen on watching it.
"While he was mainly a Barnsley fan, he would regularly take me to watch the Mariners when I was younger.
"He also played tennis, squash, snooker and bowls for local clubs."
His daughter-in-law Colette added: "Don was the heart of the family. He might not have said the most but when he did everybody listened.
"He was a typical ex-policeman, good at finding out about people and putting them at ease – and with a dry sense of humour."
Mr Leeson's funeral was held at Grimsby Crematorium on 25 February, 2009.
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