RIP Roy Summersby

[Fishy]

Roy Summersby
Posted: Fri 12 Aug 2016
Author: © Millwall FC
image: http://www.millwallfc.co.uk/cms_images/summersby198-3242814_613x460.png


Sad passing of former Lions striker
Millwall FC were saddened to hear of the passing of former player Roy Summersby on Sunday 7th August.

Born in Lambeth on 19th March 1935, Roy started his illustrious career as a striker for The Lions in 1951 and he quickly gained a reputation as a grafter on the field. His speed and intelligence would help him net 13 goals during 87 appearances for Millwall.

However, it was following his move to Crystal Palace in 1958 that Roy's career really blossomed. He made 176 appearances for The Eagles and scored an impressive 59 goals, including four in one game against Barrow in 1959.

Roy would go on to sign for Portsmouth in 1963 and after a total of 275 appearances in the Football League, he moved to non-League football before finally hanging up his boots.

Our thoughts are with Roy's friends and family at this difficult time.

Read more at http://www.millwallfc.co.uk/ne.....v55iE5V.99

[nutfield priory]

Sad to hear of his passing as a Palace fane.

Showing my age age but remember him well scoring four goals in a 9-0 win against Barrow in 1959

RIP

[Davee59]

Blimey Nutfield if you remember that game you must be nearing 70? My old dad, who is no longer with us alas, probably missed that Barrow game on account of a certain person was born 3 days earlier!!

[nutfield priory]

I was 9 at the time of the game, leave you to work out my age

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

My brother, who by my calculation is 7 years older than Nutfield, and 13 years older than me, speaks very highly of Roy.

He reckons during the promotion season of 60/1, when we finished runners-up to Posh in Div 4 and scored 110 goals, Roy was as influential as the great Johnny Byrne and they complemented each other superbly - and that Byrne wouldn't have been quite the amazing player he was without Roy alongside. This pair scored exactly half of our total in that season, Byrne 30, Summersby 25.

I've looked long and hard for a photo of Roy in action for Palace - the 2 below are the best I can do and he's in almost the same spot in both.

Firstly, Byrne scores v Swindon, August 1961, Summersby poised on edge of 6 yard box looking for a rebound.



Secondly, Palace v Millwall, March 1961. A record Div 4 crowd - 37, 774 - sees Palace slip to a rare home defeat. Here Johnny Gavin's shot is cleared from the line by the Lions' No 4 and Summersby again waits for a rebound. Fishy - who's the No 4 please?



Roy had Alzheimers for a decade or more. I'm guessing his passing although obviously sad, was a blessing really. RIP.

[Fishy]

Hi Pete,

No. 4 is Dave Bumpstead