Tim Hangs Up His Boots

from OCTOBER 2021 About Thetford magazine

Helpline Wins National Award

Tim Lovejoy moved from St Albans to Thetford in 1991 and at the recommendation of his former Hertfordshire club, joined Sporting 87 Football Club who played in the Bury St Edmunds Saturday League. Tim then played over 500 games for Sporting 87 over nearly 30 years and in all three adult teams, but he is now retiring. Tim (or ‘Digger’ as he was affectionately known by players, opposition and referees) was a combative midfielder, who later played at centre back. He was not a prolific goal scorer, but got a hat-trick against Helmsman and two goals at Hepworth and in the 1990/1991 season managed 12 over the season. One highlight was being picked for the Bury and District Representative side against the Suffolk and Ipswich League – “We won 2-0 and my Dad was there, so it was a proud moment” said Tim.

Tim and other others at the special football match

Tim amassed a total of 25 medals, getting the Player’s Player award in 1997/98 and 1999/2000 and got booked just once – “It was for dangerous play and I made no contact with a player, but it probably made up for the times I should have been booked!”

Tim also went on two football mission tours with ‘Ambassadors in Sport’, firstly to Austria, then Germany and Hungary in 1991 and then to the 1994 USA World Cup. And in 2001, thanks to his brother, Tim played in a Bob Wilson Ex-Arsenal Legends Team v a Celebrity Team at Baldock – “I even signed autographs! I loved playing in local football, building relationships with opposition players. I was just a bloke called ‘Digger’, trying to play well. But there’s nowhere to hide in the heat of the competition and you just do your best, warts and all. I loved that challenge to my faith” Earlier this year, Tim received a framed shirt to “commemorate outstanding service to Sporting 87” and on Saturday July 10th, a special match took place to mark the end of Tim and another player’s careers, with lots of Tim’s ex-teammates involved. “I loved every one of the 90 minutes I played and even scored a goal! It was a special occasion and fitting end and I am deeply grateful to have played for so long. I wanted to tell a bit of my football story, as for nearly 30 years my Saturdays have usually meant driving off to play football somewhere in Suffolk. I guess some people know me as Tim from Fulmerston Church or Tim who takes part in the Thetford Player’s pantomimes, but might not know about this significant part of my life. But now you do…so thanks for reading”.

Tim Lovejoy

Tim with his impressive trophy collection!

Tim’s Fundraising Appeal

On September 5th I ran the half marathon in the town where I was born – Southampton. In gratitude for my own mobility I decided to raise money towards a mobility scooter, so that the Church would have one available for people who needed one temporarily. If you would like to donate towards this fund, please e-mail me on tim@fulmerston.co.uk Or call the Church on 01842 763241.