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The end of an era

The end of an era

Admin 17 Aug 2018 - 12:38
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https://www.oldlandfootball.co

Reg Hamblin stands down

The Club is sad to announce that after 56 years (yes, FIFTY SIX YEARS) Reg Hamblin has decided to step down as fixture secretary for the club on health grounds. This is a remarkeable achievement that very few - if any - people in local football will match and Reg has the thanks and best wishes of everyone past and present connected with this club.

A former player who can be spotted in various team photos around the clubhouse, Reg took over as secretary of Oldland in the early 1960's. He oversaw the merger with Abbotonians in the 1980's and kept a keen eye on things as an 'Oldland' man during the delicate early merger period and was here with the subsequent merger with Deerswood as a youth section in more recent times. He stood down as first team secretary when we entered the Toolstation League but continued in the rest of his role.

At one stage Reg was the secretary for the clubs four adult sides juggling fixtures, pitches, player registrations and referees and all with a smile, never a grumble. Many a manager has not had to bother submitting the team details to the league as he would drive to each game and write down the team before sending it off - likewise maany managers found that somehow the referee had already been paid when they went to offer payment. In one game last year one ref took payment twice! (we resolved it, don't worry).

The summer of 2017 saw Reg honoured with the covered terracing by the dugouts named after him and some local press publicity. In the past few years his health has suffered and Reg no longer feels able to carry on - he wll though be welcome at all the clubs games as the Honorary President and a Life Committee Member and we will hopefully see him sat with Tracie (drinking the tea bags he himself brings to the club) from his personalised mug for many years to come.

Well done Reg we're proud of you and thank you for everything!

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