For his service to Manly Vale Football Club and the local competitions, Roy Sider is a recipient of the MWFA Meritorious Service Award.
Roy is a Manly Vale local and loves The Vale. He joined Manly Vale as a young boy nearly 50 years ago and has played every season since then in the maroon and white. Roy’s playing career saw a number of Championship wins, with one highlight being an appearance in the Football NSW Champion Of Champions Final. As his playing career keeps on going, Roy’s playing style is that of a player who just keeps running. He can be seen running around David Thomas Reserve every day – there would not be anyone who has done more laps of Vale’s ground.
In 2000, Tom Miles made the step up from Secretary to Club President and was on the lookout for a capable person who had the club’s interest at heart. Tom didn’t have to look far as he knew Roy was the right person for the job and thankfully Roy was willing to become Vale’s Secretary. He is still in the role 23 years later and with his son Dimi due to start playing for Manly Vale next season, there is no sign of retirement on the horizon, especially as Roy has fantastic family support, particularly from his wife Angela.
Vale are blessed to have Roy as he is amongst the most experienced and capable club Secretaries in the MWFA. His abilities shone through when he navigated the complexities of dealing with the local council and government departments for grant funding – Roy’s hard work resulted in the construction of new amenities and floodlighting at David Thomas Reserve, which replaced the antiquated facilities that had been there when he started playing for Vale 50 years ago.
Roy’s commitment to football goes beyond Manly Vale. He has made himself available for many MWFA committees over the years and currently serves on the Appeals Committee. This is not Roy’s first award – his contribution to football was recognised in 2012 when he received a Football NSW State Award.
Manly Vale FC is immensely grateful for the contributions of Roy Sider and his family.