Crawley Town president Les Turnbull dies

Crawley Town have been paying tribute to their president Les Turnbull who has passed away after 50 years at the club.
Club president Les Turnbull and vice president and wife Audrey Turnbull 
Crawley Town 1 Wrexham 0 15/8/09
Pic: Dave BurtClub president Les Turnbull and vice president and wife Audrey Turnbull 
Crawley Town 1 Wrexham 0 15/8/09
Pic: Dave Burt
Club president Les Turnbull and vice president and wife Audrey Turnbull Crawley Town 1 Wrexham 0 15/8/09 Pic: Dave Burt

A statement on the club’s website reads: “The club were deeply saddened to hear that our President Les Turnbull passed away on Sunday.”

Turnbull was vice-chairman and chairman when they were at their previous ground, Town Mead.

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He then took up the new role of president and was extremely proud when the club won promotion to the Football League in 2011 and played Manchester United at Old Trafford in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Along with his wife Audrey, who was the club’s treasurer during Les’s chairmanship, he remained a staunch supporter of the club, attending nearly all our home games in the executive lounge despite being confined to a wheelchair following a stroke.

Les was at the club as recently as last Friday, when he attended the Disabled Supporters Association dinner.

Chief executive Michael Dunford said: “It is really sad news because Les and Audrey have been part of the fabric of this club for more than 50 years.

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“I have only known Les since I came to the club but his love for Crawley Town and our supporters was always evident.

“Even when he wasn’t in the best of health Les would be at every home game, chatting to the many people at the club who knew him and enjoying the match.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to Audrey, their daughter Jackie and the rest of their family. His name has been synonymous with Crawley Town FC for a very long time and he will be missed by a lot of people in Crawley who knew him.”

As a mark of respect, there will be a minute’s silence and the players will wear black armbands on Saturday during the game against Mansfield.

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