Obituary

Tony Sellwood (Hook FC) Obituary -

Author - Peter Raynbird - President and Press Officer - Saturday Section

All involved in local football will be saddened by the passing on of Tony Sellwood, who died last Friday after illness over the past few years..

It was at the age of 14 in 1952 when Tony played his first game of football for Hook and he remained with the same club ever since.

When at 17 years of age he was elected onto the committee at Hook and continued playing as a hard bustling centre forward, those who played against him rarely came off the field without a bruise or two, hence his nickname “killer” .

The first job as a committee man was marking out the pitch and he was also involved in fund raising activities and after doing his National Service in the Coldsteam Guards, returned to his beloved Hook where he continued playing until too old and then took over as Linesman. He continued that duty until ill health meant it had to pack in, but he still managed to get to every match until last season.

Tony was appointed Chairman of the club in 1970 and then took over a Hon. Secretary In 1975-76 season, still looking after the pitch at King George V Playing Fields and continued until retiring two years ago.. A rare event these days for a club to have the same secretary for 39 years

In 1991 he received the North Hants FA Services to Football Award and then in 2002 the ultimate football honour, the Football Association medal, awarded for 50 years service to the game.

Tony will be badly missed by the Hook Football Club and the football fraternity in the area and the thoughts of the Basingstoke & District Football League goes to his family.

Peter Raynbird