Stocksbridge Park Steels founder Allen Bethel dies, tributes paid to man linked with rise of Jamie Vardy
Allen Bethel was the chairman of Stocksbridge Park Steels for more than three decades before stepping down in 2018
Stocksbridge Park Steels founder and former chairman Allen Bethel has died aged 85.
The football club shared a post confirming the news of his death on their social media.
It reads: “It's with deep regret that we have to inform you of the death of Founder and former Chairman Allen Bethel. Allen passed away this morning in the early hours, and we send our condolences to his wife Janet and the family. RIP Allen.”
Allen is a figure that was synonymous with The Steels. He helped create the football club in 1986 and served as chairman for the South Yorkshire side for more than three decades before stepping down from his position in 2018.
In an earlier interview with the Sheffield Star, he said: “It all started in 1982 when I had about six local kids and formed Stocksbridge Juniors.
“It was then I met Michael Grimmer (Stocksbridge’s current Secretary) and things developed from there. In 1986 saw the merger of Stocksbridge Works and Oxley Park to form what is now Stocksbridge Park Steels.”
Under Allen’s leadership Stocksbridge established themselves as a stable non-league outfit with 13 squads ranging from the thriving junior section up to the semi-professional senior team which won promotion to the Northern Premier League in 2025.
The club boasts excellent training facilities and has played a vital role in helping harness the talents of a number of professional footballers that have gone on to play in the Football League or in some cases even internationally for England.
They sold Lee Mills to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Simon Marples to Doncaster Rovers during the 1990s, but the most notable is Jamie Vardy, who left Bracken Moor to complete a move to Halifax Town in 2010 before eventually going on to play for Leicester City, where he won both the Premier League and FA Cup while amassing 500 appearances and becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer with 200 goals.
Chief football writer at the Yorkshire Evening Post, Graham Smyth paid tribute to Allen Bethel on X.
He posted: “So many fond memories of Allen from my time covering Steels. The club was an obsession for him and the way he ran it shamed many bigger outfits. Will forever be linked with the rise of Jamie Vardy who for Allen was a source of hope, a little stress and ultimately pride.”
Retford United wrote on X: “Sending heartfelt condolences to Allen’s friends and family, and everyone at the club.”
Belper Town commented: “This is really sad news. Allen was a wonderful chairman, a great advocate of non league football and a terrific guy. We will miss him hugely. Huge condolences from all at Belper Town Football Club. RIP.”
Football reporter Alan Biggs added: “An absolute gentlemen besides being a true champion of grassroots football. Thoughts with Allen’s family and friends & all at Parksteelsfc.”