Tributes to husband, dad and grandad who ‘touched so many lives’ at football club

Aamar Ahmed died earlier this year aged 61 after suffering with deep vein thrombosis following knee replacement surgery, leaving his loving wife Helen, sons Zak and Adam and his grandson Elias.

But his legacy will live on through his family and his incredible contribution to Bolton Wyresdale Amateur Football Club, which he first joined more than 40 years ago.

Helen said: “He joined when he was 19, that was when we first met, in 1983.

“He originally player and then he was then manager, then the secretary, then he was on the committee, he really did everything.”

Aamar and Helen on their wedding day in 1994 (Image: Public) She added: “And he got to represent the North West on the FA, he used to absolutely love going down to London on the train.”

Alongside his footballing commitments, Aamar had also worked as part of his family business since the age of 19. The company, Farhat Hosiery, which runs both indoor and ourdoor market stalls, is named after his mother.

Aamar with grandson Elias (Image: Public) As part of his jobs” target=”_blank”>work promoting amateur football in the North West, Aamar was also on the Bolton Over 35 football committee and the Lancashire Amateur Committee.

He was also involved in voluntary work completing hearing for Lancashire Leagues.

Both of Aamar’s sons, Zak and Adam, played under him at the club and both, along with Helen, have gone on to serve on the club committee.

Adam, Helen, Zak, Elias and Aamar Ahmed at Zak’s passing out ceremony as a Greater Manchester firefighter (Image: Public) Both sons have gone onto successful careers with Adam serving at Bury General Hospital.

A hugely proud moment for the family came in January this year when Zak passed out as a firefighter for Greater Manchester, winning the fitness award in the process.

Helen had retired as headteacher at Sacred Heart in Leigh to spend more time with her husband last Christmas.

A celebration of Aamar’s life was held earlier this year (Image: Public) Tragically he died after developing deep vein thrombosis in February after a knee replacement, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the club he had served for so long.

Helen said: “We held a celebration of his life in March and over 400 people came, it just shows how many lives he’d touched.”

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Aamar had been particularly looking forward to Wyresdale AFC’s new pitches and clubhouses opening in mid-August this year, which he had played a large part in acquiring.

Helen said: “He was really, really looking forward to it.”

The club will be getting the keys on Friday, August 15 and then will be hosting a legends game the next day on Saturday, August 16 involving players from years gone by.

Then on Sunday, August 17 the new pitches and club house that Aamar had worked hard to secure will be open to the public to see for themselves with a special open day event.

Source – INDIA TV