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Home » News » Sheffield’s sports man steps down after 20 years of service
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 | Sheffield’s sports man steps down after 20 years of service |  |
 A people's champion who dedicated decades to furthering sporting opportunities in Sheffield has retired after more than 20 years at the helm of city sport. Seventy-nine year old Len Crossley, who was chair of leading leisure operator Sheffield International Venues (SIV) for 11 years and a trustee of Sheffield City Trust for nine years, was honoured at a special lunch at Don Valley Stadium. During his time with SIV and the City Trust, former union official Len helped raise the profile of sport in Sheffield through its world class venues as well as handing out thousands of pounds to good sporting causes.Among highlights during his time were the official opening of Sheffield Arena by Her Majesty the Queen, the £12.5m refurbishment of the City Hall and the setting up of the city's most popular health and fitness scheme Fitness Unlimited which now has 14,500 members. Barnsley-based Len, who was a divisional organiser with the former Amalgamated Engineering Union for 25 years, said: "During the years we have seen dramatic changes in sport in the city. Sheffield has become established as a major sporting city in the country, interest in the leisure industry has increased and more and more people are involved in sport. "SIV and the City Trust have been vital to this in the city. The trust has handed out hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years to good causes. Nobody could have anticipated the impact it has had on participation levels since we first took over management of Ponds Forge, Don Valley Stadium and Sheffield Arena. "I have always taken a keen interest in sport and have really enjoyed my time at SIV and on the trust. It has been wonderful and a huge part of my life. I will miss it."Keen Barnsley FC fan Len was honoured with a plaque and lifetime membership with SIV where as a keen gym user he will be using the facilities at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield. Joining the City Trust will be legal firm DLA Piper's head of finance Mark Fenoughty who has more than 17 years of experience in financial sector, with nine years in the sports and leisure industry as Chief Operating Officer and Finance Director at Sheffield United and Finance Director at Leicester City Football Clubs. He moved into football from accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers having assisted on the Leicester City Stock Exchange flotation. Mark originally trained in Sheffield with Hart Shaw Chartered Accountants. Howard Culley, chairman of Sheffield City Trust said: "Len's contribution to both the Trust and SIV has been enormous. I would like to thank him for his key involvement in the city of Sheffield and its sporting legacy. "I would also like to welcome Mark to the trust. He brings experience, professionalism and strategic thinking to assist in the development of the trust in the city." |
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