Alan Turvey: We have today lost a great Isthmian

The Isthmian League has announced the sad news that their President Alan Turvey passed away in a Basingstoke hospital this morning - on his 85th birthday.

A League statement said: “Alan had previously been in the Brompton Hospital where he had undergone two operations for a heart problem and was moved to Basingstoke only yesterday because he had recovered from this surgery.

“Alan has been connected with the League for nearly 60 years, having started as a linesman on the auxiliary list in 1959. He advanced as a referee through the Isthmian League, eventually officiating in the old Football League Division One and after retiring as a Match Official he became League Secretary and then Chairman, an office he held for 33 years until he stepped down in 2016.

Alan became President in 2000, an office he held until today.

Chairman Nick Robinson told www.isthmian.co.uk: “We have today lost a great Isthmian.  Alan worked tiressly for the League from 1978 when he became a Divisional fixture secretary and he oversaw the development of the League for over 30 years from 1982 – during which time the League moved from an amateur league to the fully professional league it is now.

“He will be sadly missed by his many friends in football.”

All Isthmian League clubs – Bostik League with sponsorship branding – have been asked to hold one minutes appreciation before each match from tonight until this coming Saturday.

We offer our sincere condolences to Mr Turvey’s family, friends and colleagues at the Isthmian League for their sad loss.