LOCAL football has been saddened to hear the news that John Ward has died at the age of 76.

John. from Old Basing. had been ill for some time and battled bravely while continuing to support local football.

He enjoyed an illustrious career in football administration and played a pivotal role in how the county FA and grassroots football is recognised today.

John was hugely influential in the planning, design and construction of Winklebury Football Complex and the home of Hampshire FA which was the culmination of his vision back in the 1960s.

In 2015, Hampshire FA recognised John’s outstanding contribution to football in the county by naming its new conferencing facility at Winklebury Football Complex, the John Ward Suite and in 2017 renamed the Hampshire FA Sunday Senior Cup, the Hampshire FA John Ward Sunday Senior Cup.

John’s love affair with football began as a committee member with Ellisfield FC in 1963 before being appointed as secretary of Apland FC in 1966.

Between 1967 and 1970, he was secretary of the Basingstoke Lads League and served as the secretary of the Basingstoke and District Sunday League for nearly 20 years, while also holding the posts of fixtures secretary and press officer during this period. He also served as chairman between 1986 and 1989.

He has served numerous other football bodies including the North Hants Divisional FA, North Hants Senior League, Basingstoke and District Saturday League, which he chaired between 1986 and 1989, the Hampshire League and the Wessex League.

John was a founder member of the Hampshire Youth FA and served from 1971 to 1975 and again from 1990 to 1999 until the amalgamation with the senior body.

John was elected deputy chairman of the HFA Council in 1989 and was elected chairman in 1997, serving through to 2014.

He also served as chairman of the Hampshire FA Board of Directors from 2000 to 2014 and as the inaugural chairman of Hampshire FA Community Trust.

John was the county’s representative to The Football Association Council from 1998 to 2017 and served on various FA committees.

He was also a past chairman of the FA Ground Grading Technical Panel and a member of the FA Disability Football Committee.

John also served as a member of The FA National Game Board, including a spell as vice chairman, and the FA Main Board of Directors, during which he served on committees including the one overseeing the construction of the new Wembley Stadium.

John’s legacy will long be remembered and his passing will be mourned by the national game. Quite frankly – a term often used by John – there will never be another John Ward.

He is survived by his widow Freda and their family.