Spennymoor Town Supporters Club, and the football club, are mourning the passing of legendary lifelong fan, David Linford, who passed away last month on 21 September.
David, who was 72, was the eldest of three sons of Florence and Billy Linford. A keen fan of many sports, he loved football from his earliest encounter with the game and began attending Spennymoor games when he was just five years old, saving every penny towards a ticket for the next match.
He left school at fifteen and started at Thorns, where he climbed the ladder until he was promoted to a senior level. He also enjoyed his cricket and when he heard there was a vacancy for steward at Tudhoe Cricket Club, the rest was history.
Horse racing was another passion and with job and sports combined, David saw a very happy future ahead.
Sadly, as interests changed and local sports crowds began to shrink, the steward’s post was no longer viable. However, the many years involved in the cricket club had provided the opportunity to meet many of the world’s top players and lasting memories and friendships were forged.
After parting from the cricket club, he and his wife, Heather, went to the Knights of the Golden Horn (KGH) for a short time, but as a diabetic, health concerns also intervened. David had to endure the amputation of both legs, but he kept fighting back.
Following Spennymoor Town FC kept him going and with the fantastic help of the supporters club he was able to enjoy cheering on his beloved Moors for 67 years, home and away.
David’s wife, Heather, paid tribute to her husband saying: “I would like to thank all of the supporters who enabled David to attend both home and away matches so that he could continue to support his favourite team, with special thanks to Norman Dale and the lads who carried him onto the away buses. This act of kindness was paramount to him.
“Thanks also to John Morgan who placed all his bets for him.”
The Supporters Club, football club, cricket club, the KGH club and all the town’s betting shops collectively added that David “will be sadly missed by all of his family and friends. “
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
