THE family of a soldier who was Great Wakering Rovers’ oldest surviving ex-player have been presented with a shirt in his honour just days after his death.
Ernie Crump, who was 100, played for Great Wakering before the Second World War.
Ernie also had trials at Southend United but as the war broke out, he went to fight for his country.
He would later return to play for the team again after the war.
After turning 100, Ernie was due to be presented with a special shirt by Great Wakering Rovers, as the oldest surviving player.
But, just days before, Ernie died suddenly on Sunday, April 28.
Daughter Jo Joscelyn, 60, said: “It was such a shock. Even though he was 100, we didn’t expect him to pass away suddenly.
“Dad was a very adventurous person. He liked to put smiles on people’s faces. He was always the one to get everyone going and having fun.
“He loved football. He played for Wakering and had trials at Southend United. He was also a Southend United fan.
“Wakering had been trying to arrange the shirt presentation for a while. They had made a personalised shirt with his surname, and the number 100 to commemorate him being 100, and Wakering’s oldest surviving player.”
But after Ernie’s death the shirt was instead presented to his great-grandson Oliver.
Jo said: “It took a while to finalise a date, as we had to arrange it with the club, and also his carers as it wasn’t easy to get him anywhere.
“But sadly, he just missed it. We were all gutted. However, I took my grandson, Oliver, instead.
“The shirt was presented by James Johnson, the grandson of Les Stubbs who played at Wakering with Ernie.
“It was really emotional, but still special that we could actually fulfill something that was supposed to happen with dad.
“Myself and the family are going to Wembley to cheer on Wakering at the weekend, so will take the shirt with us.
“It will be placed on his coffin for his final journey.”
Ernie watched Southend United throughout his whole life but hadn’t been able to go for several years due to having dementia and issues with his mobility.
But, with the help of the Shrimpers Trust, Ernie and his whole family were given a box for the game against Boreham Wood at Roots Hall last month.
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