Allan Crowshaw 1932- 2018
It is with deep regret that we have to report that our President Allan Crowshaw has passed away at the age of 86. We send our sincerest condolences to his daughter Anita, son in law Alfie and his other family and friends. Allan was born in Bloxwich West Midlands on the 12th December 1932. He played for Bloxwich Wesleyans before being spotted by West Bromwich Albion and signed for them in May 1950. He made 11 first team appearances for them during season 1954 and 55 scoring 2 goals. He moved on to Derby County in June 1956 when they were in Division 3 North and made 18 appearances to May 1958 for them scoring 6 goals from his outside left position. 
His most successful time in the football league though came when he signed for the then division 4 Millwall for whom he made 51 appearances scoring 10 goals during seasons 1958-9 and 1959-60. 
His romance with Sittingbourne Football Club began in season 1960 – 61 when he joined them. Sittingbourne were in the Southern League First division then. Allan also played 36 (recorded) games for the Dartford 1st team and 14 for the reserves between 1962 to 1964.
Allan made his Sittingbourne debut on August 20 1960 at the old Bull Ground against Burton Albion, a game which ended in a 2-0 win for the Brickies.
His final game was May 6 1961, a 1-0 win against Ramsgate at the Bull Ground in the final of the Thames & Medway Combination Cup.
Allan began with Sittingbourne as a winger and finished his career with them in the half -back line after the manager, Ike Clarke, decided that he was better in that position rather than the wing.
His record for Sittingbourne was:
Southern League First Division
30 appearances 3 goals
Southern League Cup
2 appearances
FA Cup
2 appearances
Kent Senior Shield
1 appearance 2 goals
Thames & Medway Combination
3 appearances 2 goals
Kent Senior Cup
4 appearances
A total of 42 appearances and 7 goals.
Photos:
Left , In West Bromwich Albion Colours
Top Right, In Millwall Colours
Bottom Right, April 2016, presenting the young supporter of the year award to Liam Gambell
Allan became President of Sittingbourne Football Club in March 2006 after a spell as Vice president.
Sittingbourne FC chairman said:
“When I was asked to take over as Chairman of Sittingbourne Football Club it was one of the proudest days of my life. The last home game of the season before I was due to take over I went to the game as a guest of the committee.
They were then and still are very clever people these Committee members as they sat me in the stand next to the Club President Mr Allan Crowshaw. Allan was the link I needed as he was a player around the time that my Dad watched the team and therefore one of the reasons my Dad me took me to The Bull Ground for my first ever football game. The transition from supporter to player to Chairman was complete for me, as this lovely man brought it home just how important it was to become Chairman of such a great club, with such a great history and traditional values.
I can’t remember anything about that game as Allan showed me countless photos of himself and copies of professional contracts he had signed during his time in football. Amazing to be sitting next to a guy who actually scored two goals for WBA the year I was born!
When he was fit Allan was always at Woodstock in recent years doing a bit of painting, sweeping up or just generally anything he could do to help. He was and always will be a huge part of this great club. He is already sadly missed.
Allan loved the FA Cup in particular and would always help with Sponsorship on those very special days and he also really enjoyed presenting the trophies to the players and supporters at the end of each season.
I had the pleasure of taking Allan to a few away games over the years. The conversation was always around the need for the team to play with two wingers, Allan being a winger himself! In case you did not know!! I have a message for all team managers at Sittingbourne FC you have to play with wingers!! It’s part of our DNA.
We have lost a lovely man, great player and a Brickies Legend.
Thank you, Allan, for your dedication to Sittingbourne Football Club. RIP Allan Crowshaw”
Club Secretary John Pitts added:
“During my nineteen years at Sittingbourne there have been many comings and goings but one ever present was our President Allan Crowshaw. I remember when our previous President, Jim Clarke, passed away and we offered the President’s post to Allan he was absolutely delighted. Allan had been with our magnificent club since the 1950’s and has been a great ambassador.
Here was a man who if he had been born forty years later would have been probably quite wealthy. As it was, Allan became a painter decorator and worked for our previous chairman (also a legend at this club), Andy Spice, at his local firm BW May & Sons.
I remember talking to Allan about how he came to be at Sittingbourne. He was at Millwall and was winding down from a great Football League career at the highest level having played for Derby County and West Bromwich Albion. Allan played with legends of the time including Bobby Robson. He also well remembered playing against Stanley Mathews. Allan, had no idea where Sittingbourne was (a bit like me before I moved down here). He had a very good offer from The Brickies, who played in the Southern League in those days and was given a club owned house.
After he gave up playing Allan did all he could to help the club. He would often ask me how much the officials fees were and give me the money to pay them. He would come up to the ground and tidy up and paint. He would also go around the cafes in and around Sittingbourne and collect drink cans that he would take to APM metals and get money for the club. He only stopped doing this because of deteriorating health earlier this year.
Allan was a true gentleman. He would regale us all with stories of his time in the professional game. Many a time he would approach the then manager to see if he could help the players improve their game.
They really do not make them like Allan anymore. We will all miss him around the ground. Rest in Peace Allan.”
Photographs: Allan in Millwall colours, Allan in West Bromwich Albion Colours, Allan in April 2016 making a presentation to Liam Gambell Sittingbourne FC young supporter of the year,
With thanks to the Sittingbourne FC Archivist Dudley Hird, www.millwall-history.co.uk, www.11v11.com, http://hugmansfootball.com, and Steve Irving Co Chairman of Dartford FC.
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