It's a sad day in Norfolk as legendary commentator Roy Waller passes away

Roy Waller, a man so close to many City supporters’ hearts, has sadly passed away after a lengthy illness.

The county’s favourite football commentator of the past few decades lost his fight at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital last night and tributes have been pouring in this afternoon.

The 69-year-old retired from his long-running afternoon show on BBC Radio Norfolk last year but continued to present his weekend music show Rodeo Norfolk until he had to stop due to poor health.

But it’s his long-running stint as a commentator on City matches home and away for which most will remember him by. 

And with his unique style and passion for the Canary cause, Roy proved to be a very popular man indeed, with many supporters today admitting that it felt like they had grown up with the self-confessed Norwich fanatic.

Roy, who was a father of three and grandfather of five, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2005 but was given the all-clear in 2009.

At the time, he said that he had been given a “second shot at life”.  His health started to deteriorate towards the end of last year, however, and as you can tell by the outpouring of emotion in Norfolk today, he will be sorely missed.

He held the ‘top job’ at BBC Radio Norfolk from 1980 but after initially giving up away fixtures, he handed over to current incumbent Chris Goreham in 2007.

In 2008, Roy was also given the accolade of Sheriff of Norwich – a position held by Bryan Gunn previously, serving the city for a year.

All at MFW would like to pass on their condolences to the Waller family.

For more on today’s sad events, don’t go too far away.  Rick Waghorn will be sharing his thoughts on the great man, having accompanied him on the ‘Canary circuit’ for many years.