A giant of the Tendring sports scene has passed away aged 68.

Barry Guymer, who is known for decades of sporting service, suffered respiratory failure last Tuesday.

Born and raised in St Mary’s Road, Clacton, where he lived all his life, Barry was educated at Clacton County High School and worked in advertising in London, with accounts including Yardley and Hugo Boss.

After redundancy, he worked in credit control and finance administration before being declared disabled, allowing him to devote himself to his beloved sport, which he is best remembered for.

Barry was one of three founders of the Clacton and District Sunday Football League, helping launch it in 1967. He also took a variety of roles at Clacton Cricket Club, also helping out with catering and training.

Barry’s sporting interests started at school, playing football for Clacton County High School until he was 18, when he broke his leg in a match at Islington.

A certain Bob Wilson was refereeing and, by coincidence, Charlie George was playing on the next pitch. Both went on to become Arsenal legends.

Sadly, the leg injury cut short a career, for a man who had trials at Ipswich Town, with the injury also plaguing his health in later years.

Barry was married twice, first to Sunny, with whom he had sons Kevin and Rob. Then, there was current wife Karen, and he became stepdad to Sarah and David. He was grandfather to Page, Richard, Jack, Jake, Lily and Isobele.

Since his death at Colchester General Hospital, tributes have poured in from Clacton’s sporting community. Many speak of a man who was not shy in coming forward.

“He was to me a kind, funny man, who always helped me and Clacton Cricket Club in anyway that he could,” said Gary Kirk, manager of Clacton Cricket Club.

“Sadly the club has lost another character we will miss him for sure,” he added.

Club president Neil Cavender praised Gary’s work for the cricket and football clubs over the decades. 

Committee member and player James Lee said Barry did “everything” and recalled a man “larger than life with a great sense of humour.”

“He’s a big character for the club to lose,” he said.

Son Kevin Guymer agreed his dad was never shy and was “always a friend to everyone,” constantly trying to make people laugh, often at his own expense. Outside sport, Barry liked a beer. He also loved making pickled onions, known as ‘Barry’s Bum-busters’ because of their strong taste, he added.

The funeral is on Thursday September 22 at 2.45om at Weeley Crematorium.