Grassroots football in mourning

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the tragic passing of Charlie Duncan and Tony Whitton.

Both men were stalwarts of the game in our county with both Charlie and Tony making significant contributions to grassroots football in East Riding for a great number of years.

Charlie Duncan was a well respected player turned match official who was famed for his no nonsense approach to refereeing. Held in high regard for his ability to take control of volatile situations Charlie enjoyed a a successful career refereeing games across nearly every sanctioned league in the county.

A champion of both youth players and newly qualified match officials Charlie took great pleasure in helping educate participants in the laws of the game with many people benefitting from his guidance and support. 

Charlie was always on hand to help to help others with him being somebody that referee appointment officers could rely on and trust. 

East Riding FA Referee Development Officer Mark Brown said, "Charlie was a larger then life character who took his refereeing very serious. His contribution to grassroots football in our county will be sorely missed as will the smiles that he put on peoples faces. The fact that teams looked forward to him taking charge of their game shows the respect he commanded and the impact that he made."

Tony Whitton enjoyed a great number of years playing grassroots football in East Riding and was part of the Little Weighton side that won the inaugural Hull and District Veterans League in 2002.

After signing for AFC Blackburn Leisure Tony became a Hull and District Veterans League committee member before taking on the role as Chairman. A position that he cherished and had great respect for. 

During his tenure Tony acted with the upmost integrity and played an important role in many of the improvements that the league has made since it's inception. A champion of the game Tony will be remembered for his willingness to help others and for his passion for football.

East Riding FA Participation and Communications Officer and Hull and District Veterans League Committee member Chris Johnson said, "Tony was always on hand to offer support and advice and he led the Hull and District Veterans League with distinction. Remembered for his quick whit and dry sense of humour Tony made Committee meetings fun to attend and his contribution to the league will be missed."

Our condolences go to the friends, family and colleagues of both Charlie and Tony at this very difficult time.