Passing of former head coach and assistant
Roy McCrohan. 22nd September 1930 – 3rd March 2015
Everyone at Kenilworth Road has been saddened to hear of the recent death of Roy McCrohan who was Head Coach and assistant manager during Harry Haslam’s time at the club.
Born in Reading in September 1930, Roy made his debut for his home town club in 1951 but after only four League appearances he was transferred to Norwich in an exchange deal.
At Carrow Road, Roy enjoyed a long and successful playing career and made 426 first team appearances turning out in just about every position on the pitch but he was mostly known as a defender and was ever present in the famous FA Cup run of 1958/59 when Norwich from the third tier fought their way through to the semi-final where they eventually lost to the Hatters. He later stated that this was the most painful result in his playing career.
After helping Norwich lift the League Cup in 1962 he left Carrow Road and turned out for Colchester and Bristol Rovers before concentrating on coaching having attained full FA coaching qualifications.
He met Harry Haslam during a short spell at Fulham alongside Bobby Robson and when Haslam took over the hot seat at Kenilworth Road in 1972 he turned to Roy who was by then reserve team coach at Ipswich.
Roy became Harry’s head coach and number two during a time at Kenilworth Road that saw the Hatters rise to the top flight, suffer immediate and unlucky relegation and then try to balance the books as financial problems made life difficult at Kenilworth Road.
Roy’s sudden departure to join Detroit Express in December 1977 came as a surprise as the financial problems had then abated, but with Haslam joining Sheffield United only a few weeks later he no doubt knew something the supporters did not.
He forged a further successful career in the States and as well as Detroit Express he coached at Minnesota Kicks as well as looking after boys’ teams in Florida.
Our condolences go out to his family and friends on their sad loss.