Burgess Hill Town and Hassocks pay tribute to football stalwart

Weatherill was heavily involved with Hassocks and Burgess Hill Town during his long career in local football.

Fred was even still playing the game in 2012, turning out at nearly 70 years of age for Sussex Sunday League side Hassocks Fatboys.

A statement on the Burgess Hill Town website said: "We are saddened to announce the passing of club stalwart, Fred Weatherill.

"Fred joined the Hillians in the 1980s and managed the Reserves to the Sussex League and Cup double in the 1989/90 season. In the early 90s, he become Jim Thompson’s Assistant Manager for four seasons. After his coaching days came to an end, Fred stayed involved at the club as a loyal volunteer.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."

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It read: "Everyone at Hassocks Football Club was saddened to hear about the passing of Fred Weatherill, who held just about every role going during a long association with the Robins.

"Fred lived in Hassocks and was a familiar face around the village. He was with the club during our 1970s heyday, lifting both the Brighton and Hove League title in 1972 and the Sussex Intermediate Cup in 1975.

"Fred described that Intermediate Cup triumph in an interview with the Robins’ matchday programme some years later as the highlight of his career.

"He went onto hold a variety of positions with Burgess Hill Town through the 1980s, managing the Hillians Reserves to the Sussex League and Cup double in the 1989/90 season. In the early 1990s, he became manager Jim Thompson’s assistant for four seasons.

"Fred returned to Hassocks from Leylands Park as assistant manager to Dave John, the most recent role he held with the Robins.

"He became a popular figure with a whole new generation of Robins. Fred was often one of the first back from the pre-season tradition of the run to Jack and Jill Windmills, despite being the oldest participant.

"He’d often be seen in a cafe in the village having a full English on a Saturday before games. Any players who’d been out the night before and fancied a fry up to try and sober up ran the risk of being spotted by Fred.

"Watching him trying to communicate from the dugout via mobile phone with Johnsy in the Maurice Boxall Stand became one of the highlights of home games at the Beacon during the 2000s until Fred retired from coaching when Johnsy stood down as manager at the end of the the 2007-08 season.

"He still remained a regular and familiar face on the Sussex football circuit, becoming a volunteer back at Burgess Hill and attending Hassocks fixtures whenever there wasn’t a clash with the Hillians.

"Fred was even still playing the game in 2012, turning out at nearly 70 years of age for Sussex Sunday League side Hassocks Fatboys.

"Fred will be sorely missed by everyone at Hassocks. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time."