TRIBUTES have been paid to former Liphook United chairman Nigel Marr, who passed away on September 20, aged 51.

His family, members of the football club and the community attended a memorial service at St Mary’s Church, Bramshott, to share their memories of Nigel, who was devoted to the beautiful game.

He enriched the lives of thousands, both young and old, through his passionate leadership of Liphook United FC over a number of years.

Vice-president Fred Powers met Nigel 14 years ago when he brought his son Luke along to a training session to set up the next U7s, immediately offering it run one of the teams. He returned a week later armed with new boots and a whistle, eager to get going.

Nigel soon became chairman by popular demand. His new team of Martin Feast, Andy Bicknell, Neil Pirie, Denis Foster, David McCusker and many more worked under his guidance to push the club forward.

Fred told The Herald: “Nigel persuaded Kevin Adair and Tom Powers to take care of the men’s team and gave them all the support he could and the rest is history.

“League titles, county cup wins, trips to Forest Mere and many more highs followed. The journey they all went on was amazing, the away trips were great, the only sad thing was he couldn’t help them progress any further.

“During his first year as chairman I went to him and asked about our club running a small-sided competition, something we had discussed before his chairmanship. Again he not only said ‘yes’ but he was there right beside me to push it on. Now not only do we run our own tournament – it is one of the best.

“He will be sadly missed by me and many more of the friends he has made along the way.”

Vice-president Martin Feast said: “I was fortunate enough to sit alongside Nigel for many years as vice-chairman and I can only endorse the comments made by Fred and Steve.

“Nigel was LUFC through and through, and instrumental in driving the club forward. He became a good friend and it has not been easy seeing Nigel’s health deteriorate over the last few years.

“Rest In Peace Nigel.”

Current chairman Steve Davis gave his praise: “Nigel held many posts over the years at Liphook United, culminating in him becoming chairman, and he put as much energy and passion into each role as he could muster despite his illness.

“Not only did he live and breathe LUFC and make a great many friends here, he was also an ambassador for the club and the village - as a very prominent figure, being well-known, respected and liked, by the Hampshire Premier Football League and North East Hampshire Youth League committees and clubs, and also the Hampshire Football Association – and I know he will be missed.

“On a personal note, I had the privilege to take over the reins as chairman from Nigel and during my time in the role, I often used him as a sounding board and mentor – he was always positive, never critical and wanted only the best for the club.

“I will miss those chats and his advice, and will stay determined to perform as chairman as he would have expected.

“Our thoughts go out to all his friends and family at this time - the final whistle has now blown for the real chairman of Liphook United Football Club, Nigel Marr.”

Family friend Denis Foster, the club’s former welfare officer, added: “I was privileged to be part of Liphook United FC and to work with Fred Powers, Andy Bicknell, Neil Pirie, David McCusker, John Raeyan and many more.

“We all worked under Nigel’s guidance to develop the club and ensure so many young people from Liphook could play club football.

“It was Nigel’s leadership and commitment that made this possible.

“He had the skills and personality to bring the best out of those around him. He was an educated man, a principled man, an inclusive man and a man that could talk to anyone at any level.

“Nigel persuaded Kevin Adair and Fred Powers to manage the men’s team.

“There were challenging times but we all know the outcome – Hampshire Cup and league champions.

“I know how much he supported the team and was crucial to its success. He also made sure the team celebrated their achievements in style. On a personal note, I know his proudest moment was when his son Luke made the men’s reserve team as goalkeeper.

“Nigel also initiated the clubs association with Four Clubs United. They gave children with disabilities access to play competitive football. My team helped with the coaching at Mill Chase on cold Wednesday evenings.

“It was challenging for our team to work with disabled children and children with severe learning difficulties, but the boys and girls grew as people and understood why Nigel believed in inclusion.

“He made this happen.”

Nigel was born on March 4, 1965, in Twickenham ,and joined the Metropolitan Special Constabulary in September 1995. His former colleague Anne Johnstone served with him for 11 years. She told The Herald: “I was his borough divisional officer and his special inspector.

The Special Constabulary is made up of volunteers, who are unpaid – except for expenses – trained to the same level as their regular colleagues and with exactly the same powers.   

Anne added: “Following Nigel’s training at Hendon Police College, he came to my team at Richmond-upon-Thames. As a Special Constable he regularly patrolled the streets on a Friday night dealing with all sorts of incidents.   

“He also covered many international rugby matches at Twickenham, Trooping the Colour, the London Marathon and the Remembrance Day Parades.

“All these he fitted in with a busy family life.

“Nigel was a popular member of the team, well respected for his knowledge of police work and his fair approach to situations.

“He was always willing to help and support his colleagues and he was also a good listener. He appreciated discipline and maintained high standards.

“I recommended his promotion to sub-divisional officer (sergeant rank) and he became my right-hand.

“Many Friday evenings he was seen at the computer sorting out my officers’ expenses and helping with the mountains of my admin. His superb IT skills were a wonderful asset – particularly as mine were rather poor!

“In short, Nigel was an excellent officer and when he resigned in 2006 due to the excess travelling he incurred to-and-from ‘the Nick” it was a sad day for me, the team and the MSC.”

Bramshott and Liphook Parish councillors agreed a memorial bench in Nigel’s memory could be sited on the north bank at the Recreation Ground, his favourite spot where he watched all football matches.

Nigel’s children, Luke, Grace and Olivia paid loving tributes to their father, as did his former wife Beth, who helped to choose the final anthem Queen’s We are the Champions, befitting a man dedicated to the “beautiful game”.