After 62 years, Sutton United's longest serving tea lady has decided to blow the whistle on the beau-tea-ful game.
Rose Ford, 79, began working at Sutton's ground during the height of the Second World War, following in the footsteps of her mother Clara, also a volunteer.
She has worked in the club tea hut ever since and her allegiance to the team ran so deep that
she decided to marry a player, husband Denis.
A special reception with the Mayor Councillor Robert Landeryou, and club officials past and present was held to commemorate the club stalwart at the Civic Offices recently.
The mayor said: "Rose's commitment has been the sort of voluntary effort that is vital to local communities. After all these years she is standing down and will be missed by officials, players and spectators."
As a thank you for her years of service, during which she donated all proceeds from tea sales back into the club, Rose has been made a life vice-president of Sutton United FC.
May 30, 2003 09:30
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