‘A LOVELY MAN WHO HAD TIME FOR EVERYONE’
Tributes paid to popular football stalwart Dennis, 69
TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular sports administrator who would ‘do anything for anybody’.
Dennis Vickers, aged 69, died on September 9 while on a birdwatching trip to Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield.
He was well known on the local football scene as a former secretary of Norton United.
The former PE teacher, from Smallthorne. also played rugby for Stoke and cricket for Norton.
Son Matt Vickers said his dad had died following a ‘medical episode’. A post-mortem will take place to determine the cause of death.
Matt, aged 42, from Smallthorne, said: “He had been told there was a particular type of bird at Sutton Park so he went there in the morning and had seen the bird. He was setting off home and whatever happened took place when he was pulling out of the car park.
“It’s caused him to crash his car into some bollards. The ambulance and fire brigade were called to break the vehicle and the air ambulance too. After half an hour of trying they said they couldn’t help him anymore.”
Dennis, originally from Windsor, was a PE teacher at Hanley High school for 17 years before moving to Alleyne’s Academy in Stone.
He also played football at Norton FC on Sundays.
Matt said: “He saw that a new club had been created at Norton United where he was involved in the entire place with cricket and their Sunday football. He got into it from there and he became secretary of the club.
“He saw Norton’s rise from the local league up until when they finished. He was quite a renowned administrator.”
Dennis leaves behind four children and 11 grandchildren.
Matt added: “He adored all his kids and grandchildren, he would do anything for them.
“He would do anything for anybody. He has helped a lot of young people out over the years. There is one chap who went into teaching because of my dad. Somebody’s parents said that his son who struggled with school managed to get to university and he put that down to my dad’s help.”
People from across the local sporting scene have been paying tributes to Dennis.
Former Sentinel sports writer Jim Hannah said: “He was very helpful to me during his time at both Norton United and Hanley Town.
“We also chatted when we met during walks around Trentham Gardens.
“He was a keen photographer and was always posting pictures of birds he had captured in flight, or feeding. He was a lovely man who always had time for anyone he met.”
Staffordshire Football Association director Andy Wain knew Dennis for 30 years.
He said: “When my dad passed away in 2017, Dennis was one of the first on the phone asking if there was anything he could do.
“He was certainly a character, he was very opinionated but for the right reasons. He stuck up for himself and for what he thought was the best.
“He loved being at Norton FC . He will be sorely missed.”
A decision on the date of the funeral has yet to be made.