Golden goodbye for late stalwart

A member of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League club for more than 33 years and described by saddened officials at Christchurch Meadow on Friday as one of their "finest", the fan, volunteer and official, pictured, passed away on Christmas Day aged 84.

His surviving family - wife Joyce, son Paul and daughters Lynda and Sharon, together with his five grandchildren and two great grandchildren - hope the themed tribute will reflect his love for the Nailers and the pleasure the club gave him for more than three decades after first joining in 1983 as reserve team trainer and later even taking the helm as caretaker for one game, a 2-1 defeat at Yorkshire Amateurs in December 1985.

The Nailers paid on their website to their late stalwart ahead of his funeral service at 2pm on Thursday 12 January at the Markeaton Crematorium in Derby.

Another club stalwart and former club secretary, Dave Laughlin, wrote: "Belper Town Football club lost one of their finest when club stalwart Tony Treagus passed away on Christmas Day. Tony had been ill for a short while and more recently his visits to matches less frequent than usual but it was still a shock to everyone at the club to hear the news of his passing.

"Tony had been a club member for over 33 years, and held various positions including first team trainer, caretaker first team manager and committee member. He was more recently known and admired by visiting clubs and officials in his role as the Nailers boardroom host.

"His role as boardroom host brought him onto contact with many officials from opposing clubs, all of whom held him in the highest regard. But his loss will be felt most by past and present club members and supporters who came to know this genial man who never had a bad word for anyone."

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