FORMER Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Ron Reynolds now has a blue Haslemere Society plaque to mark his former home in Lion Lane.

Town mayor John Robini unveiled the plaque and special guests at a 50-strong gathering hosted by current residents Stuart Wilson and Kate Croucher, included many family members and Aldershot Town FC ambassador Terry Owens.

Society chairman Chris Harrison gave a short talk about Ron’s career, followed by personal reflections from the football star’s son David, a Haslemere resident.

For most of the 1950s Ron played for Tottenham Hotspur, but he started his career as a 17-year-old in 1945 at Aldershot and played for Southampton in the early 1960s.

A letter of appreciation for Ron’s contribution to the club was received from Southampton FC.

His career was cut short when he broke his collar bone following a vicious tackle witnessed by his son in the 1963/64 season.

The cost of the plaque was funded by The Shottermill Great War Memorial Trust and the idea was originated by town resident and former postman David Silk, for whom Ron was a childhood hero.

Ron lived in the town until his death in 1999, apart from his time at Southampton.

Football was very much in the family DNA and his paternal grandfather Alfie Riddle was one of the founders of Shottermill FC.

Thanks to Ron, a Tottenham Hotspur team came to Haslemere in 1953 to play a benefit match for Ray Kingshott against Shottermill.