Football scene mourns Harry

Harry Mammone passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 1, aged 86.

Harry had been involved with Hollington United from as far back as 1957, serving as president, secretary, chairman, treasurer and groundsman.

Brian Rainton, another long serving club stalwart, can even remember him cutting the grass with a scythe in the 1960s when the mower had broken down.

Although small in stature, Harry was a giant within the club and never afraid to give his opinion or offer advice.

Whilst at Hollington he oversaw the transition of using wartime Nissan Huts as changing rooms to the new modern clubhouse put up in the last couple of years at Gibbons Field in Wishing Tree Road. The club named the home changing rooms in his and Brian’s honour.

He also served on the East Sussex Football League as vice-president and was a member of the management committee for many years. Only last year he received an award from the league for 50 years’ service.

Harry leaves Hollington as a strong club both in the football sense and in the way it is run, which is testament to the loyalty and commitment shown throughout his 55 years’ service.

The funeral is due to be held at Hastings Crematorium at 11.45am on Thursday October 25. See tomorrow’s Hastings Observer for the full article.