EARLSWOOD Town have paid tribute to one of the club’s founder members, John Sharpe, who has died following a long battle with illness.
Sharpe, known as ‘Mr Earlswood Town’, died aged 88 and took on a variety of roles at the Earls since the club formed in 1968.
He manned the club’s admission gate and produced matchday programmes for the club up until the start of last season.
A life member and club historian for the Earls, Sharpe acted as general secretary from 1968 to 1975 and team secretary from 1975 to 1988.
Sharpe also held the vice-chairman role on four occasions – 1976 to 1977, 1980 to 1989, 1993 to 1997 and 2014 to 2016.
The Midland Football League recognised Sharpe’s 50 years of service to the game in 2018 with a special award alongside fellow Earls founders Jill Bloxham and Jim Jones.
Earlswood introduced the ‘John Sharpe Trophy’ at the club’s recent end-of-season awards in celebration of his contribution with the prize to go to the winner of the committee’s player of the season each year.
A club statement said: “John was one of a kind with his own quirky ways but the sort of character that every non-league club needs to flourish.
“John had been a driving force of ensuring the Earls were a respected member of non-league circles while helping to shape our picturesque home ground at The Pavilions.
“He will be missed by all.
“He leaves behind wife Jean, son Ian and daughter Jayne.
“Funeral details will be communicated in due course with further tributes planned ahead of the new season.”
