Former Hereford United Player Tony White Has Died

Former Hereford United player Tony White has died.

News has reached Hereford FC historian Ron Parrott of the sad passing of another former Hereford United player and he has penned the following tribute:-

 

“Former Hereford United player dies at the age of 71.”

 

“Let me take you back to 1968 when “Flower Power” was still in vogue and men were still men on the football field. Already a long-standing United fan, I was revelling in watching the mighty John Charles and remember being delighted for two reasons, when he announced the signing of Tony White from Rotherham United. Firstly, because Tony was born in the same year as me and secondly, because any player that had been groomed by the great Tommy Docherty, was good enough for me. 

Off the field, I remember Tony as being the perfect gentleman. It was an age when footballers were approachable and Tony certainly was, although as an 18-year-old, he often sat in the old “black and white club” in awe of Big John as he held court. I remember a twinge of jealousy as I thought to myself, “I’m 18, I want to play for Hereford United and I want to be in the same team as John Charles!” Sadly, I wasn’t good enough but Tony certainly was. His first contract at Edgar Street earned him the princely sum of £22 per week and that was with a win bonus! I loved watching him drift past defenders as he played pass after pass out to Alan Scarrott on the wing and inevitably, Alan could be relied upon to put over the perfect cross for Big John to nod in. 

Although Tony was only with Hereford for one season, he certainly left his mark on me and although the rest of his career took him to various locations, he was never more than about 50 or 60 miles away and I was really pleased when he settled in Leominster and played for several local teams in the Herefordshire League. He happily became an adopted Herefordian and I for one, will long remember him. Rest in peace Tony.”

 

The funeral will take place at Hereford Crematorium on Thursday 1st September at 1415hrs and the family would welcome any of his friends, acquaintances or fellow players to attend. For those of you who would like to know more about Tony’s career and what happened to him after he left Hereford United, Ron Parrott has put together the following summary of his career:-

 

Appearances: 47 (45+2 sub.) Goals: 2

Seasons played: 1968/69

Born Doncaster 3rd November 1950, died Hereford 5th August 2022

Tony was lucky enough to start his career under the auspices of Tommy Docherty at Rotherham United but even though Tommy thought very highly of him, he struggled to break into the first team and left Millmoor along with fellow team-mate Mick Lewis, to move south and sign for Hereford United. Tony was still a teenager when he arrived at Edgar Street and he proved himself to be a more than capable inside-forward, who could also hold his own in a defensive role.  Tony was a tireless but intelligent runner and his ball skills, coupled with his natural ability, were a great asset to him.  He played alongside United's legendary player-manager John Charles and Tony's sole purpose in life was to make space to play balls wide to winger Alan Scarrott to provide a decent supply of crosses for Big John to head home. Tony's Hereford career only lasted one season but it surely would have lasted much longer, had it not been for John Charles' signing of Brian Punter. Nevertheless, Tony played in almost every game in 1968/69 and ended up with 47 appearances and two goals to his name.  

 

In the summer of 1969, Reading manager Jack Mansell, who had helped to groom him at Rotherham, offered Tony and his team-mate Mick Lewis, a month's trial but neither of them could do enough to earn a contract so Tony moved on the following season to Merthyr Tydfil. Still resident in Hereford, Tony spent just the one season at Pennydarren Park before spending the 1970/71 season with Bromsgrove Rovers. After  a short spell with Hereford village side Credenhill, Tony then spent a month on trial with Cheltenham Town in November 1970 but he eventually linked up with Worcester City in 1971/72 and scored twice for them in 30 games before ending his career the following season with Tamworth.  After his retirement, Tony played local Herefordshire League football with the likes of Hinton Rangers and Dales United before settling down to retirement in Leominster. Tony's uncle, Len White, was a Newcastle United legend and England “B” international.