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Sir Bert Millichip - football's 'perfect gentleman'

Obituaries

Sir Bert Millichip, the former UEFA Executive Committee member who died on Wednesday, will be long remembered.

Academic capabilities 
Born in Birmingham on 5 August 1914, Frederick Albert Millichip grew up in the English West Midlands, being educated at Solihull School where he showed great academic ability.

Early sporting promise 
The young Millichip also displayed early promise as a footballer. He played at centre-half for West Bromwich Albion's third team - even chipping in with six goals in one game. But his flair for legal matters and the onset of the Second World War soon brought to an end any hopes of a glittering football career, as well as his ambitions of becoming a cricketer after leading his local cricket club in the Birmingham league.

Career as solicitor 
Sir Bert served in the forces as an anti-aircraft gunner. Then, having risen from private to captain, he renewed his links with West Brom and opened his first solicitors' partnership, Sharp and Millichip, in West Bromwich High Street - a branch which remains to this day, still bearing his surname.

Successful era 
He married Joan Brown in 1950, having a son and a daughter. In 1964, he was appointed a director at West Brom, helping to guide the club through one of its most exciting eras, particularly in the late 1970s. Using his contacts, Sir Bert even arranged a trip to China for his side - the first Western team to play there.

FA ascent 
Sir Bert remained the club's chairman until 1983, before relinquishing his role to begin his ascent of the FA hierarchy and becoming West Brom's president. Ex-captain John Wile, who went on to make 619 appearances for the club and later became its chief executive, grew close to the Millichip family.

Football and cricket passions
He said: "He knew his football inside out, and a fair bit about cricket too - they were his passions in life. Before every season, they used to invite the players, staff and press to their house for a massive get-together - it used to set the scene for the season very well. He was instrumental in raising the club's image, and respected everyone associated with the club.

'A true gentleman'
"He was a good leader, and his statesman-like qualities shone through," Wile continued. "Sir Bert's contribution to Albion, the national game and beyond in his work through UEFA was immense, and should never be forgotten. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him - he was a true gentleman."

UEFA stalwart
Sir Bert was a UEFA stalwart for some 20 years. He was an Executive Committee member from 1988 to 1996, becoming a vice-president, and served on various committees with European football's governing body as chairman or member. An honorary member of UEFA since the London Congress in 1996, he was a life president of the FA and was awarded a knighthood in 1991.

Actively involved
In his later years, Sir Bert remained actively involved with football. Only three weeks ago, he attended an awards' ceremony to present West Brom manager Gary Megson with the medieval honorary title of Lord of the Manor of West Bromwich, following the club's promotion to the English FA Premiership last season.

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