Champions plan pitchside farewell

The National League South club are staging the event on the pitch at The Beveree at lunchtime after a horse and carriage funeral procession from the celebrated scriptwriter's home arrives at the stadium after passing his favourite local haunts.

Conducted by the Reverend Martin Morgan before a private family burial, officials say the ceremony will start at 12.45pm with those attending asked to arrive by 12.15pm.

Inextricably linked with the 2015-16 Ryman League champions for over 50 years, the south west London club's late president, pictured, passed away two weeks ago aged 87 after a long battle with lung disease. Under his presidency the Beavers cruised through the Spartan League and then the Athenian League before joining the Isthmian League for the first time in 1973.

The club's popular president since 1967, the London scriptwriter was best known for co-creating television's Steptoe & Son and Hancock’s Half Hour. Together with co-creator Ray Galton, the duo were awarded OBEs in the 2000 Honours List for their contribution to British television.

Ryman League chairman Nick Robinson paid tribute to the Hampton & Richmond Borough president after his passing, saying: "Alan was a true supporter of Non-League football and was proud of his days in the Isthmian League. He was one of the first holders of our 25 year merit award and we all have great memories or a great man."

Image courtesy of Hampton & Richmond Borough/Henrietta MacDonald

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