Applause planned for late stalwart

Saddened officials at the Blues announced the passing of the committee member and devoted fan, pictured, before New Year at the age of 84 on Thursday.

As well the tribute before their EVO-STIK NPL First Division North fixture with Hyde United, the Blues say the stalwart's funeral cortege will pass Shawbridge next Tuesday lunchtime (Jan 10) as it makes its way to Accrington Crematorium for the service at 2.20pm. If desired, mourners are being asked by Mr Lawson's family to make a donation to the North West Air Ambulance.

A grandad and great-grandad, the widower and father-of-three had been unable to attend many games in recent seasons due to ill health but was still an avid fan and kept in touch with the latest club news with a regular delivery of home and away programmes to his home in Clitheroe.

In statement paying tribute to 'Reggie' as he was known by all, the Blues said he was always the first on the phone asking for news after home games and was such a character around Shawbridge that he even became the subject on an in-house fanzine in the 1980s.

An active committee member since the seventies, for many years he was also the first sight greeting spectators selling tickets for the Lancashire club's raffle and raising thousands of pounds in the process.

Clitheroe chair Anne Barker said: “Reg could not hide his enthusiasm and love for the club, and that effervescent personality will be my abiding memory. The football club has lost a dear friend and lifelong supporter."

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