Tony Turner, Millwey Rise FC President and a founder member of the original team as well as a referee, has sadly passed away.

Tony celebrated his 90th birthday in February and his wonderful dedication to grassroots football made a legend of the East Devon game.

Tony was one of the original Millwey Rise FC team that crashed on to the scene in the 1958-59 season. Playing in the Perry Street & District League, they swept all before them, topping the league and winning all the cups that went with it. He played right-back with Dick Sturch left-back and Bernard Hiscox in goal - a formidable trio!

Tony continued playing for Millwey, picking up many more trophies on the way until he eventually retired from playing the game.

He then became a well-respected referee, covering games in Devon, Somerset and Dorset. One memory he recalls amongst many others was refereeing a game at Chard in extremely muddy conditions. He slipped over and fell in the mud together with his whistle.

Unfortunately, next time he was called upon to blow it, not a peep was heard as that too was full of mud, causing a few chuckles amongst players and spectators alike.

He went on to become a referee's assessor and many new referees at the time benefitted from his advice and knowledge.

One of the highlights of his refereeing career was being presented with a certificate for ‘Services to Football; by the then Yeovil Town Manager Gary Johnson in 2003.

He later became President of Millwey Rise FC, a position he held for many years. In September 2012, he saw the switch from the original pitch, fondly referred to as 'The Slope' (for obvious reasons) where 'Rise' had played for over 50 years to their current home of Harry's Field at Cloakham Lawns.

Apart from Millwey Rise FC, Tony's other love was Arsenal, who he supported since boyhood.

Our deepest condolences go to Tony’s family and friends. Rest in Peace.