Kentish Express Ashford & District
Football in sorrow at dad’s death
Teams’ applause for player, 43
Friends and team- mates have expressed their shock and sadness at the death of a legendary Saturday and Sunday league football player.
All games on the Ashford and District Sunday League on Sunday were asked to observe a minute of applause before kick off.
News of the death of Andy Hone was published on the Sunday league website on Saturday. The popular, 43-year-old, father-of-two had played for Ashford Dynamo Football Club since the age of 15, making a club record 1,200 appearances in a range of positions.
The postal worker had also played for Shadoxhurst and Aldington and was a trophy-winning darts player.
Ashford Dynamo club secretary Ted Revell said: “Obviously we’re deeply shocked.
“It is such a great loss and he will be remembered by all at the club.”
Players and supporters have expressed their shock at the death of a “stalwart” of Saturday and Sunday league football.
News of the death of Andy Hone was published on the Ashford Sunday League website on Saturday, and all fixtures on Sunday were asked to observe a minute of applause before kick-off.
The 43-year-old father-of-two had been a player at Ashford Dynamo FC since the age of 15, making a club record 1,200 appearances in a range of positions.
He had played regularly for the club’s Saturday and Sunday sides, and more recently had played on Saturdays with teams including Shadoxhurst and Aldington while continuing for Dynamo on Sundays.
Club secretary Ted Revell said that Andy was well known by everyone who has worn the royal blue jersey down the years.
Mr Revell said: “Obviously we’re deeply shocked. He has been a stalwart of Ashford Dynamo from a very young age.
“He would play in a number of positions and would always do what he was asked to do willingly and give his all.
“Some local players are a little bit average but not Andy, he showed over many, many years that his level did not drop. My thoughts go out to his family, friends and children. It is such a great loss and he will be remembered by all at the club.”
He enjoyed success with Dynamo, playing in a number of finals at Homelands, including in the Sheber Cup in 2004. He was also part of the Shadoxhurst side which won a league and cup double in 2008.
Dynamo manager Paul Prior said the news was very sad. He said: “Andy was not only one of my players, he was a good friend of mine. I knew if I was a player short, no matter what position, I could depend on Andy regardless of the time he turned up.”
Mr Hone had attended the North School in Essella Road during the 1980s and had worked for the Royal Mail for many years.
He was also a keen darts player and was pictured in the Kentish Express for his success in the Ashford Charity Indoor Sports League.
An inquest into the circumstances of Mr Hone’s death is due to open in Maidstone today (Thursday).