Saffron Walden: Tributes paid to lifelong Bloods fan

The players observe a minute's silence (Image: Archant)

Mary Buckle died on Friday at Hatherley Care Home, Chaters Hill, aged 85.

Mary moved to the Almshouses nearly 30 years ago and was a popular figure around the town.

Her passions were bingo and football and she was a regular at Saffron Walden Town Football Club’s home games at the Catons Lane stadium. A minute’s silence was observed before Saturday’s game against Great Yarmouth.

Daphne Cornell, a trustee of the King Edward VI Almshouses Trust, which runs the facility on Abbey Lane, described Mary as a “wonderful character”.

She said: “We are all sad to lose her. Mary had a hard life but she cared about everybody. She was really part of the community, ever since she has been here.

“I hope she will be remembered as one of the Saffron Walden characters – there are not many people left like that. She was quite special.

“She was a huge fan of the Bloods – I have been at matches where she was shouting at the ref. She stuck by them through thick and thin.”

Malcolm Domb, manager at the Saffron Walden Waitrose branch and a trustee of the almshouses, said: “Mary was a regular visitor to Waitrose most days and sometimes more than once. She was certainly one of the town’s characters and will be much missed.

“Mary could always be relied on to keep you updated on the football club as well as knowing which team you supported, who they were playing and what the score of the last match was.”

Football club vice-chairman ­Martin Johnson expressed the club’s sadness at Mary’s death.

He said: “Mary was a life member at the club, and one of our best known, most loyal and most popular supporters.

“The minute’s silence held in her memory at Saturday’s match was perfectly observed and a moving tribute to her.

“Mary was very special and will be much missed by everyone connected with the football club.”

A date for her funeral is yet to be set.