Its strength lies not just in the teams and players we read about on a daily basis but in the network of grassroots leagues and clubs that keep football going at a local and community level. They survive due to the love, passion and effort put into them by thousands of people who commit countless hours towards ensuring the beautiful game can be played. Robin was one of those and fortunately for Lingfield FC he lived in our village.

Robin was born in Lingfield and became involved with the village football team through his father Jack who looked after the club’s home at that time in Talbot Road. Jack also helped set up the youth section that is still flourishing today. Robin had a talent for football and in the 1961-62 season was a part of the team that won the Edenbridge Charity Cup and the Edenbridge & Caterham Cup.

When his playing career ended Robin remained involved off the pitch, becoming a committee member and representing the club at The Lingfield Sports Association who oversee the day to day running and development of Godstone Road. During the late 1970s Robin was also involved with one of the most successful ever Lingfield teams who won the Surrey Intermediate League twice as well as a host of other trophies.

However, it was off the field that Robin helped make one of the greatest contributions towards the long-term development of the club. Alongside Maurice and Pam Tomsett, Bill Blenkin and other committee members he helped to plan and raise money for the installation of floodlights at Godstone Road. These were formally switched on in March 1983 at a celebratory friendly match against Brighton and Hove Albion. The importance of the floodlights cannot be overestimated as they enabled the club to enter senior football where it has remained ever since as a part of the FA pyramid.

Robin and Bill also worked tirelessly to turn the Pond Farm field at the back of Godstone Road from a field where horses grazed to a full-sized pitch where our junior teams used to play. The pair of them also helped to turn the playing field at the old Rentokil grounds at Felcourt into a mini soccer venue for players aged 5 to 11, anyone driving past on a cold winter Saturday morning will see how successful that has turned out to be. When not doing that he could be found marking out pitches, putting up goal nets and taking the gate money. Robin also combined his love for the club and his love of the village by becoming actively involved in local fundraising opportunities. He took part in the annual pram race with his family wearing his Lingfield kit, the donkey derby, local fun runs and the Lingfield firework display. There was nothing that Robin wasn’t prepared to do.

It is no exaggeration to say that over the years Robin’s hard work has contributed towards hundreds of players of all ages partaking in football. The amount that Robin did for Lingfield Football Club was shown when age and ill health meant his visits were more infrequent and the club had to look elsewhere for people to fulfil his roles.

Those that love football and follow a team will tell you that its more than just the joy of winning or the despair of losing, it’s about being part of a wider family, a sense of belonging with friends. Robin was very much part of the Lingfield FC family for many years and his passing is a sad loss to those who knew him, both at Godstone Road and in the wider football family. Like so many other clubs at this time Lingfield FC faces a difficult future. The best tribute that we can pay to Robin is that we tackle these challenges with the same determination and enthusiasm that he did and ensure that the club continues to progress and prosper.