EDITOR'S CHOICE THURROCK NEWS Tilbury turbines plan gets approval Getting ready to ride: Thurrock Cycle Marathon 2008 Max's signal of hope 16 days after attack Goldfrapp booty up for grabs Monster weekend at Fat Surfer SPORT Hammers are buzzing after victory over Bees New Dockers boss talks up expectation factor THURROCK IN PICTURES Herringham is centre of excellence ELECTION 2008 Election 2008 Guide GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 Purfleet was atom bomb target 2 Grays boss Woodward forced to pay up in Sestanovich case 3 Walking for Aaron 4 Thurrock targeted in immigration and fraud crackdown 5 Kidnap case goes to trial 6 Millers' big night 7 Grays boss Woodward forced to pay up to convicted Sestanovich 8 Fleet entertain top sides 9 Changing face of leagues in annual reshuffle 10 Community meeting over Ockendon landfill site Today | 7 Days 1 Renewed call for new access to London Gateway superport 2 Jailed Grays factory worker had 50 bank accounts in tax fraud 3 Thurrock targeted in immigration and fraud crackdown 4 C'est le vie says deposed Gordon 5 MP tells of 'cosy carve up' in honours system 6 Max's signal of hope 16 days after attack 7 Car gutted in garage blaze 8 1,500 new homes plan in Tilbury eco-community project 9 Stan, 81, gets on his bike for St Luke's 10 MP steps into wages row over jailed footballer

Comment

MEMORIES: Fred Curtis, left, with lifelong friend and former teammate Jim Reader.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Tilbury FC goalkeeper who recently lost a battle against cancer.

Fred Curtis, 82, died on April 22. Curtis, started his football career at Tilbury in 1948 and could have gone on to a professional career but for a serious injury sustained just days before he was due to sign for Southampton.

Several professional clubs had watched the keeper before Saints manager Bill Dodgin saw Fred play and was immdiately impressed, telling the Dockers management "I'll sign him."

Sadly for Fred, he sustained a very serious injury while playing for Tilbury at Leavesden and was forced to retire just a week before he was due to sign his Southampton contract.

His lifelong friend and former Tilbury team mate, Jim Reader, 79, of Fairway, Grays, said: "He was one of the best goalkeepers I ever saw. He was brave and a credit to play with.

"He was a marvellous bloke with a wonderful temperament, I consider myself lucky to have played in the same team with him."

Fred had one child, Mark Curtis, who now lives in Germany.

His funeral is due to to be held today at West thurrock.

11:08am Tuesday 6th May 2008

Print

Email this

Comment