The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A stalwart behind Pinchbeck United for the last 17 years says now is the right time to stand down.
Pete Roberts has had a hand in every position at the Knight Street club, latterly as chairman for three years.
“I think now I’m getting nearly 60 I want a bit more free time,” he said.
Pete’s association with the club began when he took the Ajax Under-13 team there. Under the guise of Pinchbeck United he led through to Under-18 level with a good degree of success.
He went on to succeed Tony Wells as first-team manager, keeping the role at the Peterborough League Premier Division side for ten seasons.
Pete’s proudest moment at the club came later, in 2012.
“It was when we went to Kings Cliffe and won 4-2 to win the league,” he said. “The biggest disappointment has been our performances in the County Cup. We’ve never won it and that’s one thing that has let us down.”
However, Pete did taste success at Sincil Bank when eldest son Tom led Pinchbeck United Sunday to Lincolnshire FA Sunday Cup success in 2015. Dad was particularly proud as starting the team had been his idea and no Spalding Sunday League team had ever won it before. Earlier this month the team clinched the league title for the third year running, but it was to be their swansong and the side has folded.
Tom has gone on to become Holbeach United player/boss.
Pete said: “He still sometimes comes to me to ask questions!”
Meanwhile, the club has paid a heartfelt tribute, saying: “Pete has been with the club for over 20 years in many roles and has no doubt lost a lot of blood, sweat and tears in that time.
“He has and will continue to have the club at heart. He has worked tirelessly for the football club in that time and he will be a huge void to fill.
“Local football doesn’t work without the likes of Pete and people of his ilk are few and far between these days.
“We thank him for all of his time and effort and congratulate him on being given an honorary membership of the PDFL.”
Pete’s final official duty will be handing over the chairman reins at the AGM on June 13.
