The East Riding County FA would like to pay tribute to Pete Smith who has sadly passed away after a short illness.

Pete was a popular figure within the local football community having served the game in a voluntary capacity for well over 50 years.

He started as Secretary for Clover Dairies in 1962 and held the same role for Askew, Empress and Springhead Spartans before stepping aside in 2004. Pete still found time to register as a Referee in 1972 and was active until 1998 when he decided it was time to help the next generation of referees as an Assessor Mentor. It was no surprise that due to his voluntary roles he joined the East Riding County FA Council in 1979. He will be familiar to many for his role as the County FA Disciplinary Secretary and famously said he agreed to take this role for 6 months and held it for 25 years!

Pete was passionate about helping the next generation of young players demonstrated by his involvement in Springhead Spartans and also as a member of The East Riding FA Mini Soccer Committee which was instrumental in supporting the roll out of mini soccer across the County.

As the East Riding County FA relocated to its current base at the Roy West Centre we were now able to host all of our Cup Finals, with this came the need for additional volunteering roles and Pete was the first to put himself forward and became in his own words “a 1^st class parking attendant”.  Pete was immensely proud to be made a Life Vice President of the East Riding County FA which was a fitting reward for years of dedicated service.

Whilst the sheer volume of his efforts speaks for itself it doesn’t begin to describe how well thought of he was. It was always apparent that people enjoyed being in his company, he entertained everyone with his anecdotes and had a fantastic recollection of people and events which he always turned into amusing stories. A man who was greatly respected amongst his peers, local football was blessed to have him involved. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. We would like our deepest sympathy and our best wishes to his family at this difficult time.