Wellingborough Town FC pays tribute to club president Laurie Owen
Staff, fans and players at Wellingborough Town FC will pay tribute tonight to the club’s president Laurie Owen, who has died.
Laurie played a significant role reforming The Doughboys in 2004 and championed the Dog and Duck side.
Players and supporters will hold a minute’s silence before tonight’s home game against Boldmere St Michaels FC.
A spokesman for Wellingborough Town FC said: “It’s with great sadness and regret that we inform everyone of the passing of our club president Laurie Owen.
“Laurie was a significant part of the club reforming in 2004 and became an ever present at the Dog and Duck in the years to come.
“The club, the players and staff extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends.
“We hope you can join us as we honour Laurie and his huge contribution to the football club.
“We will hold a moment’s silence on Tuesday night at home to Boldmere St Michaels and will lay a wreath at midfield on Saturday at home to Sutton Coldfield Town.”
Laurie, a retired police officer, was known for his love of cricket as well as football, coaching at Wellingborough Town Cricket Club and performing scoring duties for Northamptonshire County Cricket Club 2nd XI.
A spokesman for Wellingborough Town Cricket Club said: “All of us at Wellingborough Town Cricket Club are sad to learn of the passing of Laurie Owen.
“Laurie has held a number of roles across the club over the years, including groundsman, captain, coach and chairman.
“Most importantly, Laurie’s hard work was instrumental in the growth of our club over a number of years.”
Northamptonshire County Cricket Club historian and BBC Northampton sports journalist Andrew Radd paid tribute to Laurie.
He said: “Laurie contributed so much to cricket and football – a scorer with Northamptonshire County Cricket Club 2nd XI for many years and always good company.
“He had massive involvement with Wellingborough Town Cricket Club and Wellingborough Town FC but also Second XI scorer with Northamptonshire Steelbacks throughout the 1990s and notcher with CricketSA in the 1999 World Cup. He was unfailingly helpful and totally dedicated to ‘his’ teams.”
A spokesman for The Northern Premier League added: “We extend our deepest condolences to Laurie’s family and friends, and everyone associated with Wellingborough Town.”