Sad news coming out of the recent passing of Eileen Langridge QSM - Eileen was a tireless worker for football in the region and the South Island and spent countless years of service on the former Canterbury Football Association and admin duties for Canterbury United when the Dragon's were first established.
Also a life member CFA, NZFA as well at both the Western AFC and Christchurch Technical clubs and served as president of the Mainland Football Federation for 5 years. RIP Eileen
Aged 96 and still very active in her final years.
I used to see Eileen twenty years ago when she was at the Canterbury Football Association and it's amazing to think that she was already 76 years old then.
An amazing and enthusiastic lady, always positive about things and with a mind sharper than most people in their twenties.
She remembered seeing her local West Ham play in the 1920's as a girl in London and remembered all the personalities in NZ football going back to the 1950's.
A real "people person", she took the time to chat to anyone and made you feel welcome.
One of the most legendary NZ football administrators of all time.
Eileen was working 30 hour weeks as administrator at Woolston / Cashmere Technical in her 90's.
Most of her administrative work over the years was unpaid.
Articles about Eileen:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/domestic/10...
http://www.mainlandfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/5747...
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/6031585/Pri...
Yes Eileen ceretainly devoted plenty of time to football and was well respected around the country and few would be her equal around the running of the game and the rules for football governance in pre the Federation era.
In recent years when not able to get out and about was still interested in what was going on and she asked me to ring her the results from the MPL and Chatham Cup.
I have a few good stories and great memories of Eileen and she will be sadly missed.