Horsham sporting community pays tribute to all-rounder Kevin

Horsham Tigers Football Club told the County Times: “Kevin was our well-respected and ever-present secretary, one of the most supportive parents, having come to us when his son Maxwell – now team captain – joined the under-sevens group.

"Kevin could always be relied upon to deal with situations in a calm and measured way, injecting his dry wit.

"When we were struggling for pitches, his excellent relationship with Horsham Sports Club enabled us to take our youngest teams to Cricketfield Road to play and train.

"He regularly ran the line and was a great strategist.

"A quiet, private man, Kevin made light of his medical condition, and his legacy to Horsham Tigers will be the hundreds of boys and girls who will start their football careers at HSC - he will be sorely missed by us all at Horsham Tigers.”

Horsham Cricket Club paid their own tribute to Kevin.

They added: “Kevin was involved at the club for eight years, managing junior cricket teams, a great communicator, always encouraging youngsters to represent Horsham CC, and willing to help out wherever he could.

"During the winter months he co-ordinated Tigers matches here as a truly all year round friend of the club.”

Fondly remembering her father, Kevin’s daughter Sophie said: “Dad loved sport as a young boy, endlessly playing football, cricket, tennis, athletics (and much more!) in the garden with his brother Graham.

"He could run fast – becoming a district champion at age 12 - jump high and long, and was an excellent footballer.

"He also played basketball (going on to coach a ladies’ team), tennis, and athletics.

"Later he followed every sport you can think of, being a Brighton & Hove Albion season ticket holder, and was never happier than sitting in the sun with a beer, dog by his side, watching Maxwell captain his cricket team to success.”

Echoing Sophie’s thoughts about Kevin’s sporting prowess, Horsham Hockey Club’s Nick Evans added: “Kevin and I first met almost 40 years ago in Sun Alliance’s Computer Department. We became and remained close friends and were best man for each other. At age 63 he left us far too young.”

Kevin Bartlett’s funeral is being held this week and Horsham Sports Club ended their poignant tribute saying; “Our thoughts and love go to Kevin’s wife Tracey and their children, Sophie, Darcy and Maxwell at this sad time.”