LES Fitton, a leading figure in the history of Mossley Football Club, has died at the age of 92.
He joined the club’s committee in the early 1960s and was assistant club secretary, secretary and had spells as a director and vice-chairman.
“Les was a passionate, lifelong Mossley supporter, who also served the club tirelessly for many years,” the club said in a tribute.
Mossley invited members of Les’s family to the home game against Leek Town when there was one minute’s silence before kick-off and the players wore black armbands.
Les was also well-known in the community as a butcher with his own business on Stockport Road, Mossley.
Other than football, music was Les’s passion and in his younger days he was a drummer in dance bands, and he also starred in local pantomimes.
Indeed, that is where he met Eileen, his wife of 67 years, as she produced and choreographed pantos as well as dancing in them.
Les, who was raised on Curzon Street, Mossley, watched his first match at Seel Park aged six.
And apart from a short spell living on the Fylde coast, Les watched the Lilywhites until relatively recently when he was unable to do so because of ill health.
“I think dad moved back from Poulton-le-Fylde because he missed his football,” explained son Nick.
“The club was a huge part of dad’s life for over 80 years. He still had his Wembley blazer and tie, and his closest friendships were formed at the club.”
Such was Les’s commitment, he also stepped in with various others to help save the club around 1990 when it was teetering on the edge of folding.
Les was also a talented footballer, a winger who was on the books of Mossley, Chester, Macclesfield Town and Stalybridge Celtic, though mainly as a reserve-team player.
He also represented the Royal Air Force at football and later did some unofficial scouting for Arsenal as he was a friend of their chief scout.
Les was proud that son Nick, a full back, signed for Mossley and was a member of their squad for the 1980 FA Trophy final at Wembley.
Nick later went on to play for Ashton United, Leyland Motors and Wren Rovers.
And the family’s links to the club continue as Les’s grandson James O’Donnell, who runs a local solicitors practice, is a sponsor of the club.
There were many tributes on Facebook with the overriding theme that Les was a gentleman.
Nigel Wharmby wrote: “He played a huge part in the club’s history, a true gentleman in every sense of the word.”
Long-serving club official Steve Tague added: “I had the privilege of serving on the committee with Les for many years.
“He was very knowledgeable but, most importantly, he was a genuine, nice man.”
Les, who also had a spell as superintendent at Ashton Market Hall, leaves wife Eileen, children Nick, Julie and Michael, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
- Manager David Fish, captain Andy Keogh, chairman Stephen Porter and many club officials were at the funeral of long-serving programme editor John Cawthorne.
Also in attendance were former manager Peter Band and ex-players Ben Richardson, Mike Fish and Elliott Harrison.