Tributes paid to former Wisbech chairman Vincent

Adam Lazzari

Former Wisbech Town chairman, treasurer and secretary Don Vincent has died after a lengthy illness.

The 80-year-old passed away at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn on Wednesday.

The long serving official was chairman when the decision was made to sell Fenland Park and had also been on the board of March Town for the last two years.

His widow Kathleen, 65, said: “Football was Don's real passion in life. He coached a youth team down in Marlow years ago and got involved with Wisbech Town soon after we moved to the area. People will remember Don as being very opinionated. He was so interested in what was going on at the football clubs in Wisbech and then March and he wanted the best for them.

“Don worked very hard trying to resolve Wisbech's financial problems.

“He loved the club and was down there doing something in the office most mornings.”

Mr Vincent was originally from London but had been living in Tydd St Giles for the last 17 years. He ran a car business with his son Alan and had dealerships in Chatteris, Ely and Littleport.

Spencer Larham, Wisbech Town Football Club programme and website editor, said: “Don's legacy will be the sale of Fenland Park. Most people understood that the ground had to be sold to save the club and as chairman he was instrumental in that. He did just about everything at Wisbech, from tannoy announcer to chairman.

“People will remember Don as being insanely early. On match days he would often be standing waiting for the gates to be opened. He wanted to make sure everything was done on time. Don was very opinionated and he had a very gruff voice. This meant that he sounded like he was angry, even when he wasn't. He was very committed to Wisbech. If you called Fenland Park, there was a good chance he would answer the phone.”

Wisbech plan to hold a minute's silence before their next home game against Leiston on February 13.