Hi everyone,
Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend Tony's funeral due to work commitments.
I would appreciate it if you would pass on my sincere apologies and condolences to Don, Lorna and the family.
I recall the first time I met Tony. I was one of Andy Libberton's recruits and he drove me to training on a wet Tuesday night in October 1977. Any reservations I had quickly vanished when Tony bought me a pint and informed me that I would be playing on Sunday in the Colt's.
I remember with great fondness the hours we spent together drinking and talking, putting everything in the world to right. I soon learnt that the Royal Family were chinless wonders, footballers lager drinkers, Tories were fascists, backs were only there as an excuse for more scrums and the wingers job was to get the ball out the hedge.
Under his guidance I learnt to always drink with your opposite number, even if you had spent the entire afternoon punching and kicking each other. Tony was Chairman when the Club had absolutely nothing but a huge overdraft. But with a good team around him and wise words the Club survived and what we have today is a testimony to the work that he and those around him did all those years ago.
Unfortunately, as the year's passed we saw less of Tony at the Club. But although our friendship remained we drifted apart. I can look back now at those times with great fondness and recall a committee meeting in January when both Tony and I turned up in identical Christmas cardigans. I was soon referred to as Cloney Meades.
I was in Solihull late last year when I visited Tony and spent a very enjoyable couple of hours. Although his body was giving him grief his mind and wit was as sharp as ever.
I can say without a shred of doubt that the person I am today was a direct result of that period of friendship and for that I thank you Tony. I shall celebrate your life with a pint and conclude with one final thanks. God bless you Tony.
Enoch