Tonbridge Angels are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tom Spence, a stalwart supporter of the club from our days at the Angel Ground.

In those days at the Angel, when the club was continually teetering on the brink of bankruptcy; at loggerheads with the council regarding the lease on the ground or just finding the pitch underwater as the Medway flooded for umpteenth time, Tom was there, always at the forefront, as a supporter’s club committee member raising funds with charity walks or pram races or lobbying the council to being the programme editor and the club’s historian.

And what a historian he was! Tom had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the club and between him and the late Brian Cheal, what they didn’t know about Tonbridge Football Club, to become Tonbridge Angels, literally wasn’t worth knowing.

Tom’s address book of ex-Tonbridge players was an absolute treasure chest and this enabled the club to give a proper tribute to Gerry Francis on his 90th birthday and his subsequent passing last year despite his residence in Canada. Gerry was a star name of the Angels past but Tom would have details of players that had worn the shirt, perhaps just the once in a pre-season friendly.

Tom’s programme notes from the 1990’s were always a good read with a humour that characterised him as a person. 

Tom’s education was spent at Sussex Road and he entered the print trade as an apprentice, but Tom will be mostly remembered as Tom the Postie.

Lorraine Hearn (nee Parks), a former chair of the Supporters’ Club paid her own tribute: “Tom was a stalwart member of the supporter’s club over many years and was always taking part in fundraising activities as well as volunteering around the ground and at functions.

“He will be fondly remembered for taking part and representing Tonbridge Angels in the annual Tonbridge Town Pram Race, in fancy dress, along with his co-runner Brian Parks, who had to run at double speed to keep up with Tom, whilst not hitting any ‘holes in the road’ to protect their ‘baby’ Denise Clark (nee Jenner) in the ‘pram’.

 “Tom could always be relied upon to give his best air guitar party piece at any party or celebration and he became a dancing duo when the lovely Edna came into Tom’s life 32 years ago.

 “It was a proud moment when Tom was presented the Austin Verini Award for his services to the club by myself and very much deserved.”

Tonbridge Angels are planning a minute’s applause in memory of Tom prior to kick-off in our next home game against Hemel Hempstead Town on 29th November and our thoughts are with his partner Edna, family and friends at this time.