The Peter Raynbird Stand, Winklebury Football Complex

The Peter Raynbird Stand

Hampshire FA & Basingstoke Town pay tribute to Peter Raynbird

Hampshire FA & Basingstoke Town have unveiled The Peter Raynbird Stand at Winklebury Football Complex in tribute to the outstanding contributions Peter Raynbird made to local football.

On 15th February 2021, Hampshire FA’s longest serving member, Peter Raynbird, sadly passed away aged 95 after contracting COVID-19 in hospital.

Peter dedicated 55 years of service to Hampshire FA (and North Hants Divisional FA), most recently as Life Vice President, as well as an incredible 66 years’ service to the Basingstoke & District Football League.

Peter retired from both roles in 2019, but retirement didn’t last long. Later that year, he was elected as Club President of Basingstoke Town Community FC. His tenure in this role saw him support the club at their first ever match at Winklebury Football Complex in October 2020.

Wanting to mark Peter’s outstanding contributions to both organisations and football in the borough, Hampshire FA and Basingstoke Town Community FC have collaborated to name the main stand at Winklebury Football Complex ‘The Peter Raynbird Stand’; a fitting tribute to the incredible impression he made on the local football community.

The newly named stand was unveiled Saturday 5th June 2021 at The Peter Raynbird Memorial Match between Basingstoke Town Vets and Basingstoke League Vets, with members of Peter’s family present.

Peter’s daughters, Vanessa Raynbird and Jackie Ball, said: “What a wonderful and truly emotional surprise it was to all the family when The Peter Raynbird Stand was unveiled at Dad’s Memorial Match at The Winklebury Football Complex last Saturday.

We are extremely proud of the contribution Dad made to local football and know he would feel honoured, as we do, to now have a place where his legacy will live on at the home of two organisations so close to his heart.

We would like to thank The Hampshire Football Association and Basingstoke Town Community FC for making this a moment we will never forget.”

In an earlier statement, Hampshire FA CEO, Neil Cassar, said: “Peter’s legacy will continue to live on and his contribution to football should be celebrated by the thousands of players, coaches, officials and referees who he helped support during his outstanding service to our National Game.”

Photography Credit – Basingstoke Gazette / sean@thebigcheesephotography.co.uk