Johnson joins tributes to late stalwart

Nantwich Town manager Danny Johnson has paid tribute to the EVO-STIK League club's late stalwart Neville Clarke ahead of his funeral on Thursday.

The Cheshire club's life vice-president, pictured, passed away last Tuesday aged 80 after holding a range of posts at the Dabbers over more than half a century.

Officials at the Weaver Stadium announced at the weekend that his family have invited all who knew him to attend his funeral service at Crewe Crematorium and supporters held a minute's applause for the popular club man before Tuesday night's 2-1 home win in the Premier Division over Marine.

Johnson said: "I had only known Neville for just over 12 months and he was a lovely man. We used to have a bit of banter with his best mate Albert [Pye]. I’d ask them both, 'Have you brought your boots? I am going to need you today' and Neville would say, 'oh no, I have left them at home!'"

"He was a lovely man and I think what people need to remember is that is what Non-League football is all about. It is not about big money men coming in and splashing loads of money, it is all about honest hard working volunteers like Neville and Albert. They are the heartbeat of any Non-League football club in any community football club and we have lost a bit of a legend."

"You just can’t buy that sort of spirit and desire to be part of a football club and he had that in abundance. I never got to know him well because he has been poorly for a while now. My heart goes out to his family and my condolences."

A boyhood fan, Mr Neville joined the old club committee back in October 1959 and served with integrity and distinction in almost every conceivable capacity from training the youth team back in the 60s to assistant secretary for 17 years, committee member and matchday PA announcer. As a trustee of the club he is also credited with playing a key role in Town's move from Jackson Avenue to their current home at the Weaver Stadium.

The funeral service takes place at 2.40pm on Thursday October 9 and his family have expressed their wish for flowers by choice or donations to made to the Royal British Legion.

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | The NPL group on Facebook by clicking here: www.facebook.com/groups/TheNPL/