Tributes pour in for village football champion (From Harwich and Manningtree Standard)

Tributes pour in for Mistley United Football Club football champion

9:00am Saturday 26th January 2013 in News

TRIBUTES have poured in for “Mr Mistley United Football Club” who died last week.

Bert Frost, 81, who spent more than 50 years as a player, chairman and president of Mistley Football Club died on Thursday January 17 after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer.

In a moving statement, Bert’s grieving widow Patricia, 80, of Linden Close, Lawford, paid tribute to her “wonderful husband” who she married in 1953.

She said: “He was a wonderful husband, dad, granddad and great granddad.

“He would have done anything for anyone.

“He was heavily involved with the football club and got awards for everything you could possibly get.

“He was my rock - I supported him in what he did and we made a great team.”

In 2001 Bert received awards from the Football Association and the Essex County Football Association for 50 years of service to the club.

He was also chairman of Ardleigh Cricket Club and organised sports matches with teams in Frankenberg, Germany, Manningtree’s twin town.

Barry Felgate, secretary for Brantham Athletic Football Club, said: “When Mistley Football Club folded, which he regretted as he put so much hard work in to keep it going, he came over and played a few games for Brantham.

“Bert is a very big loss to football and to his family."