Ted Burridge [The News]
Lifelong Pompey soccer fan Ted Burridge, arguably one of Fareham’s best known residents and much liked personalities has passed away, aged 84, after a short illness.
Distinguishable by his handle bar moustache and Oddjob (Goldfinger:1964) physique, Ted hadn’t been in great shape since a fall last summer and underwent surgery for a hip replacement last year. He spent all his working life on the Fareham council roads gang.
A Fratton Park season ticket holder for decades, Ted followed Portsmouth through thick and thin for years and years, watching the Blues on every ground across the country umpteen times over. He loved his soccer, having played as a goalkeeper locally following post WW2 RAF service in Egypt and after hanging up his boots, became ‘bucket and sponge’ man for several clubs, including Gosport Sunday League side Achilles.
Ted played his cricket in Fareham for Good Intent and Park Lane, maintaining his winter goalkeeping prowess behind the stumps. He later became a qualified umpire, officiating in the old Sarisbury Green Knockout and later Gosport Borough in the old Southern League.
Away from sport he was an avid book reader and a great source of conversation on the many away days he spent with soccer and cricket. A hugely likeable character with a wealth of stories, Ted was the ultimate genuine guy, a massive and generous stalwart of the Royal British Legion. His Poppy Day appeal spot at the entrance to the Fareham shopping precinct every autumn attracted hundreds of visitors. Ted was a magnet for poppy sales : people would find him to buy one !
The town of Fareham has lost a great character. Sportsman or not, everyone seemed to know Ted – and he knew them ! Funeral details will be posted when known.
Distinguishable by his handle bar moustache and Oddjob (Goldfinger:1964) physique, Ted hadn’t been in great shape since a fall last summer and underwent surgery for a hip replacement last year. He spent all his working life on the Fareham council roads gang.
A Fratton Park season ticket holder for decades, Ted followed Portsmouth through thick and thin for years and years, watching the Blues on every ground across the country umpteen times over. He loved his soccer, having played as a goalkeeper locally following post WW2 RAF service in Egypt and after hanging up his boots, became ‘bucket and sponge’ man for several clubs, including Gosport Sunday League side Achilles.
Ted played his cricket in Fareham for Good Intent and Park Lane, maintaining his winter goalkeeping prowess behind the stumps. He later became a qualified umpire, officiating in the old Sarisbury Green Knockout and later Gosport Borough in the old Southern League.
Away from sport he was an avid book reader and a great source of conversation on the many away days he spent with soccer and cricket. A hugely likeable character with a wealth of stories, Ted was the ultimate genuine guy, a massive and generous stalwart of the Royal British Legion. His Poppy Day appeal spot at the entrance to the Fareham shopping precinct every autumn attracted hundreds of visitors. Ted was a magnet for poppy sales : people would find him to buy one !
The town of Fareham has lost a great character. Sportsman or not, everyone seemed to know Ted – and he knew them ! Funeral details will be posted when known.
