Minute's silence for late stalwart

The First Division South club's secretary for more than three decades, the stalwart, pictured, passed away on Sunday following a long illness aged 69.

In a statement paying tribute to their popular administrator who was well known throughout the game for his work with local leagues, clubs and the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA, saddened officials said a minute's silence would be observed at the home of football on Saturday to mark his passing before they kick off against Daventry in First Division South.

Sheffield FC secretary Bill Towning took over from Mr Hall at the world's oldest club two years ago when ill health first began to restrict his day-to-day involvement.

Paying tribute to his predecessor on Tuesday from the US where he is away on business, Downing said: "Steve was active in local football for more years than any of us care remember and was a steadfast servant to the game he loved. Steve will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with Steve's family at this sad time.

"He was well respected and held in high regard by everyone locally, from the boards of the full time clubs to the participants in the local leagues. Latterly, poor health had prevented Steve taking as active a role as he would have wished but he was chairman of the North Midlands Development Football League and his experience was an invaluable resource to Sheffield FC and the league."

Sheffield FC president Alan Methley hailed his fellow lifelong Sheffield Wednesday fan as a "good friend to everyone in football" and said he would be "sorely missed" by everyone who knew him.

He added: "One of my fondest memories was when the late Sir Bobby Robson rang him up years ago on the day of a dinner he was helping to organise and he thought he was cancelling. It turned out he only wanted help with a finding a hotel to stay the night. Steve was very happy to take the call in the end."

Sheffield FC will publish the funeral details for Mr Hall on their website when known.

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