The Isthmian
League has announced that its President, Alan Turvey, died this morning in
Basingstoke Hospital.
Alan had
previously been in the Brompton Hospital where he had undergone two operations
for a heart problem and was moved to Basingstoke only yesterday because he had
recovered from this surgery.
Alan has
been connected with the league for nearly 60 years, having started as a
linesman on the auxiliary list in 1959. He advanced as a referee through the
Isthmian League, eventually officiating in the old Football League Division One
and, after retiring as a match official, he became league secretary and then chairman,
an office he held for 33 years until he stepped down in 2016.
Alan became
President in 2000, an office he held until today.
Chairman
Nick Robinson said: “We have today lost a great Isthmian. Alan worked
tirelessly for the League from 1978 when he became a Divisional Fixture
Secretary, and he oversaw the development of the League for over 30 years from
1982- during which time the League moved from an amateur league to the fully
professional league it is now. He will be sadly missed by his many friends in
football.”
As someone
who knew Alan for many years, I would like to add my condolences to his family
(Steve Whitney). |
