'Tony was a fighter - a real leader'

Former Hesketh Bank player Tony Sergeant, 38, died peacefully at Queenscourt Hospice, Southport with his wife Erica at his side last Wednesday.

Tony leaves wife of 13 years, Erica and their three children Edward, 10, Amelia, seven, and two-year-old Henry.

He had been diagnosed in April 2019.

Players and officials held a minute’s silence before Saturday’s West Lancashire League match with Crooklands Casuals, which Hesketh Bank won 2-1.

Supporters, friends, family and former players attended the match to pay tribute to Tony – and were joined by members of Hesketh Bank Cricket Club, who stopped their game on the adjacent pitch to join in with the minute’s silence.

Tony grew up in Hesketh Bank and was passionate about football.

He played for Hesketh Bank from the age of eight and made his debut into adult football at the age of 15 in 1998 playing for the reserve team.

He made his debut for the first team a year later and played a total of 172 games for them scoring five goals.

The most memorable season for Tony was 2014/15 when he returned to the first team squad following their promotion to the Premier Division.

Despite the promotion the squad had diminished and he returned to skipper the ‘new team’.

With only having a few points at Christmas and looking favourites for relegation they managed a great recovery.

This achievement alongside the reserve team’s promotion was recognised by the West Lancashire League and the club was awarded ‘Club of the Year’.

Tony himself was voted as first team player of the season by fellow teammates.

His manager that year, Shadab Iftikar (Evergreen), has remembered Tony in a tribute he has sent to the family.

Tony not only played for the club but also coached and managed several junior teams over the years, joined the committee as a volunteer and was responsible for the club’s website.

Tony was a primary school teacher at Banks St Stephen’s Primary School before his young family moved to Bonar Bridge in Scotland, 40 miles north of Inverness in the Highlands, where he was a headteacher.

Alongside football Tony was a keen naturalist and author and in August 2020, under the name A.P. Sergeant, he had his debut novel published by Edmenry Press to rave reviews.

‘Tik Robin and the Krismas Goblin’ followed the survival battle of a robin who tries to save his kidnapped friend in a mythical land.

His book was inspired by the Lancashire countryside he so adored. In a YouTube video to promote the book, he said: “I’m a passionate naturalist, love wildlife, love getting out there to listen and watch the birds.

“Nature inspires me, it gives me that child-like buzz and excitement every time I step out of the door whatever the weather.

“It’s where the ideas for the book came from.”

He had started researching and planning the sequel to this book but was also working on writing a book about the history of Hesketh Bank football club, which is currently celebrating its centenary.

Paul, his father, Chairman of Hesketh Bank AFC, said: “Tony was a mad Arsenal supporter and his hero was Tony Adams.

"He was a fighter on and off the pitch, but not in a nasty way, he was the sort to rally the troops, a real leader.”

Lifelong friend Dan Birkby played football with Tony from the age of eight and his daughter Robyn is close friends with Tony’s daughter Amelia.

He said: “Tony and I had a mate who had a farm and every Saturday morning as kids we would go there and play football for eight hours then go inside and watch Final Score.

"I have so many memories of him, such as going on football tours to Belgium and Holland.

“He was our captain in the Under 16s – he was a school year above me but was in our age bracket for football.

“He was the leader for us – he was the same age but to us he was like one of the adults. He was so sensible, just an all-round great guy.

“I cried when I found out – I don’t mind admitting it.

"We were on holiday at the time and I had to ask my partner to drive. It hit me hard. You never expect to lose someone your age.

“I last spoke to him in April when I saw him at the school gates and he came round for a brew.

"He came to watch a few of our games but then I remember thinking at one game he wasn’t there, where was he?”

Dan added: “The cricket lads came on to the pitch for the minute’s silence too.

“There was a lot of former players here, people that had played here during Tony and Paul’s time here.

“All that just shows the level of respect to him and to his whole family.”

Numerous West Lancashire League clubs have already paid tribute to Tony on Twitter since his death was announced by the club.

Among them were near neighbours Tarleton Corinthians, who posted: “Tony was a Hesketh Bank stalwart, amazing footballer and one of the nicest people you would ever meet.”

Croston Sports tweeted: “Tony was such a great man and was a true ambassador to Hesketh Bank.”

Sam Wilkinson said: “A great guy, a huge advocate for local grassroots football and a massive influence and help during my early teaching career. (He) Is going to be missed by so many.”

Evergreen said: “Hesketh Bank Football Club, the football community and the world have lost an incredible person. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of truly a remarkable man.”

Tony had numerous treatments for his cancer in Scotland before returning to live in Hesketh Bank with his family in July last year.

He underwent further treatment earlier this year in Liverpool before taking part in a clinical trial in London starting in May.

The family were given the devastating news at the end of July that the trial had failed and no other treatments could be offered.

Tony was returned to the new Clatterbridge Cancer facility in Liverpool and a few days later he was admitted to Queenscourt Hospice.

Tony leaves his dad Paul, mum Anne, brothers Paul, 35, Mark, 31, and sister Kate, 34.

He also leaves two half-brothers George, 20, and Harry 17 and step-parents Annemarie and Neil.

Details of the funeral have yet to be arranged.