LIFE at Great Harwood Rovers Junior Football Club has been like one big happy family for Glynn Thompson.

And, to a certain extent, that is exactly what it has been.

For in the 17 years he has run the club’s popular mini league, Glynn has coached, nurtured and introduced hundreds of children in to the game – including five of his own grandchildren and a great grandson.

Now aged 63, Great Harwood-born Glynn has packed away the bibs and cones for the last time and hung up his boots.

His work is done but it is a well earned rest for a man who admits football had never been the sport of his choice in his formative years.

It was only when grandson Luke, then aged four-years-old when joined the mini section in 1996 that Glynn began to take a genuine interest.

He took young Luke along and but, as if often the case, soon found himself involved.

“I didn’t play football when I was younger and had no real interest in running a team or coaching,” said Glynn who boxed in the army and ran just to keep fit. “I took Luke along to the mini section at Harwood because I suppose that is what grandparents do.

“That is when I started to help out and when the guy who was running it left a few weeks later to move to New Zealand, I got more involved although I didn’t expect as long as I did!”

Luke, now aged 20, went all the way through the Great Harwood age groups and also played senior football.

Luke was quickly followed by grandsons Karl, now 16, Ethan, 15, 12-year-old Brodie and last but not least Devon and great grandson Malachi – both aged six – in to the Great Harwood fold.

“It has been absolutely brilliant working with all the kids over the years and to have seen my own grandchildren and great grandson come and go has made it that little bit more special.”

While Glynn has been a blessing to the club he has also been like an extra babysitter for his four daughters.

“I am a qualified coach but I suppose to my daughters you could say I have been a bit of a babysitter as well! But I’ve been more than happy to let them have the morning off on a Saturday.”

Thompson admits seeing the youngsters flourish under his guidance has been the biggest reward.

“Boys and girls would join the club when they were four or five and obviously they were a little nervous,” he said. “But we never pushed them. We let them get involved in their own time and they could stay with their parents until they were ready.

“But it never really takes that long, afterall, kids love to kick a football around, don’t they!”

His aim has always been to give children their first taste of football and send them on their way knowing it is a game that should be enjoyed.

“My whole aim is to make sure the children play with a smile on their face and enjoy playing football,” he added. “What we teach is the very basics. You have to remember, boys and girls come to us not really knowing how to kick a ball. So to see them slowly improve and then on to play for teams a few years later is very rewarding.”

Thompson has definitely been a key part of the coaching set-up at Rovers and the club will be sad to see him go – not that he will be too much of a stranger on match days.

“It is nice to finally finish because it means I can spend more time with my family. But it doesn’t mean I’ll be turning my back on the club. I’ll still be going along to watch the grandchildren and my great grandson play for their teams. They can’t get rid of me that easily.”

Glynn was presented with a special Great Harwood Rovers shirt with RETIRED printed across the back as well as Gnome sporting his beloved Blackburn Rovers kit.

Club officials were quick to praise Glynn for his efforts.

“For the last 17 years Glynn has been the face that has introduced 100s of children to football and in particular Great Harwood Rovers Football Club,” said Andy Councell manager of Lyndon House Development. “His role has been vital to maintaining the future of the club by bringing on the youngest kids and getting them ready to start playing team football.

“He has been a great mentor to all the kids and has always strived to ensure that they have all had a fun time and a fair crack of the whip irrespective of their age and ability.

“He will be sorely missed by everyone at Great Harwood Rovers.”

And Trustee Mark Pickup added: “Many of the older teenagers in the club have a genuine fondness for him, and remember how he gave them their first real taste of fun football.

“In recognition of his efforts in 2007 Glynn was named as the Lancashire FA Charter Standard Coach of the Year for his pioneering work with players as young as five-years-old.”