Leamington footballers form guard of honour to pay tribute to wonderful mother figure of grassroots football Joy Barry

Past and present footballers for Leamington Hibernian FC formed a guard of honour at Leamington Cemetery for the arrival of the funeral procession for the club's co-founder Joy Barry.

Due to the current situation with Coronavirus, a private burial for Joy took place last Wednesday (April 22).

Joy's coffin had been brought to the family home in Lillington that afternoon with neighbours standing outside their homes and applauding as the procession pulled away.

Mourners were seen along the route to the cemetery, some with bowed heads and others holding scarfs for Leamington Hibernian FC (Hibs) - the club which Joy co-founded with her husband Jim in 1974.

Leamington Hibernian FC co-founders Joy and Jim Barry.

On the procession's arrival at Leamington Cemetery, the entrance was lined with a guard of honour which included present and previous players of Leamington Hibs - this included two of Joy's grandchildren, Jessica and Lewis Barry.

Respecting social distancing guidelines, the guard of honour applauded Joy's arrival.

The burial took place with only immediate family close to the graveside but 120 mourners, who had turned out to pay their respects had spread out throughout the cemetery.

Had Joy's funeral taken place under normal circumstances then thousands of people would have attended.

The hearse which carried Joy Barry's body to Leamington Cemetary parked outside the family's home in Lillington where neighbours came out of their homes during lockdown to pay their respects.

Joy, of Lillington and whose real name was Margaret, died peacefully aged 78 at Warwick Hospital on March 31 having fought a brave battle against cancer for the past five years.

She was the dearly-loved wife of Jim, devoted mother to Sheena, Kevin, Siobhàn, Liam, Kieran and Julanne, grandmother to Alicia, Sharne, Jack, Ryan, Shaun, Jessica, Jordan, Lewis, Riordan, Laoise and Danny and great-grandmother to Riley, Poppy, Millie-Jae, Sophia, Freddie and Rupert.

But her 'extended family' was made up of many former and current grassroots footballers from the various Hibs' teams over the years and many in the Irish and Leamington community.

Siobhan Gordon, Joy's daughter, said explained that the family were not expecting people to come out in the numbers that they did for the proceedings.

Joy Barry's grave at Leamington Cemetary was decorated with flower arrangements paying tribute to her as the co-founder of Leamington Hibernian FC.

She said: "As we awaiting instruction from the funeral director, I looked up and saw my husband off in the distance with my youngest son and I noticed my other son and his fiancee halfway through the service standing at another part of the cemetery.

"It was very emotional seeing people there that I did not expect to see.

"My dad, Jim, was completely overwhelmed by the guard of honour and said it was such a show of respect for mum and all that she had done for football and sport in Leamington.

"She worked so hard to ensure so many felt included and had opportunities that at times they could ill afford.

A flower arrangement of a Leamington Hibernian FC shirt made for and laid on the grave of Joy Barry.

"Joy was a true ambassador for Football and sport in general, her advise to all she met went further that just the football pitch, she was often contacted for advice and guidance long after players had retired from football and she had a reputation for keeping a confidence.

"Dad said it was very heartwarming to see a 'sea of green' football shirts when the hymns were being played.

"The flowers were so colourful and many family members returned to the cemetery later to ensure that the grave was covered in colour.

"Dad said mum loved flowers, her garden was her pride and 'joy' and we are so grateful for all that was done to support the family."

For more about Joy click here.