Durance, William – Was the top man in local football

 William ‘Chucky’ Durance (1898-1986)

William ‘Chucky’ Durance was born in the Grantham area and was educated at Sedgebrook Grammar School.

On leaving, he worked at Grantham Post Office.

He was a local sportsman in many areas, including cricket and tennis., although his first love was football, playing for Grantham Thursday Wolves and then for Grantham Town.

During the Second World War he was welfare director at arms-maker BMARCo, Springfield Road. In that capacity he met both Lord Beaverbrook and Winston Churchill.

He was also campaign manager to BMARCo boss Denis Kendall, spending much time at the House of Commons.

Following the Second World War, he became a director of Grantham Town, then chairman. He was also a member of the Lincolnshire FA for 28 years and made a lifetime member in 1982.

He was also Grantham Football League chairman for 14 years and a lifetime member of Grantham St Johns FC.

Off the field of play, he was friend and adviser to Grantham Mayors Arthur Each and Lord Brownlow.

His day job was principal of plumbing business Pawson and Co, from 1939 until retiring in 1975.