Angels in mourning for legend Truett

Tonbridge Angels are mourning the passing of one of the club’s legends, winger Geoff Truett.

Still the only player in the Ryman Premier club’s history to make more than 500 appearances, he played for Angels between 1962 and 1970.

In a statement paying tribute to their former player on Friday, officials announced that he had passed away aged 79, five months short of his 80th birthday.

The powerful winger scored 115 goals in 517 appearances for the club and one as a substitute after signing from Crystal Palace where he’d turned out 39 senior games and scored five goals in five years between 1957 and 1962.

Before that, he starred at Wycombe Wanderers, making 114 appearances between 1952 and 1957 when he played in the 1957 FA Amateur Cup Final against Bishop Auckland at Wembley Stadium in front of 90,000 spectators.

Mr Truett, pictured far right for Wycombe at Wembley, went on to play for Hastings United before retiring in 1973. He helped the Angels gain promotion in 1963-64 and won the Kent Senior Cup the following year. Twice voted 'Player of the Year', he was a regular goal scorer from set pieces.

Remarkably, his benefit match in March 1968 attracted a complaint from the Lords Day Observance Society as it was played on a Sunday!

Tonbridge Angels director and former chairman, Colin Fry, remembers seeing their late legend play at Tonbridge's old ground in the town before their move to the Longmead Stadium.

Fry said: "He was a great player who left me with great memories. For a powerful man he had a great touch. Penalty kicks could be artistic; placed beautifully. But sometimes power could be the answer!

"Believe me this bloke had it all. Rest in peace Geoff, you were absolutely tremendous. All our thoughts at the club are with Geoff's family."

Mr Truett leaves a wife, Josie, children Jane and Daniel and four grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have still to be finalised.

Images courtesy of www.wycombewanderers.co.uk

Follow us: @rymanleaguenews on Twitter | Ryman League group on Facebook