CHAIRMAN and mentor Denis Mair says ‘a light has gone out' at Chalfont St Peter FC following the sad passing of popular striker Charlie Strutton at the age of 34.
Local boy Strutton learned his trade in the junior ranks with the Saints and progressed to the senior team in 2006.
Regularly the club's top scorer, his goalscoring prowess became a reliable and central part of Saints' successful run to the FA Vase semi-final in 2009 and the Spartan League title in 2011.
It also drew the attention of professional clubs and Strutton was snapped up by League Two new boys AFC Wimbledon in 2012.
Injury, however, slowed his progress and after making just 17 first-team appearances in two years for the Dons, Strutton joined Braintree Town, via brief loan spells at Maidenhead United, Braintree and Aldershot Town, where he broke his leg in his one and only game.
Two more injury-ravaged years followed at Cressing Road, bringing further loan spells back at Maidenhead, Hayes & Yeading and Slough before Strutton cut his losses and rejoined Chalfont St Peter, initially on loan from Maidenhead, playing his last game in the red and green in November 2016.
Club chairman Mair has watched and encouraged his progress from the Under 12 team.
In an emotional message on the club's X account this week, he said: “Words can not express
the unbearable sadness I feel following the news of Charlie's passing.
“Without question, a light has gone out on Chalfont St Peter and for everyone that knew Charlie.
Cherished
“He will be remembered in the most loving and cherished ways that all good souls who enter our lives, however briefly, are remembered.
“Our love and condolences from absolutely everyone at Chalfont St Peter go to his family in the edge that we've all been knowl-
touched by a rare gift that in time will give us all the strength to carry on.
“Charlie, my few words don't go anywhere near doing you the justice that you so deserve but it comes purely from my heart to you.”
Mair was joined in remembering his club's favourite son by a plethora of former clubs, managers, teammates and fans on social media as football paid tribute to the popular front man.
Speechless
AFC Wimbledon tweeted: “Everyone at AFC Wimbledon is deeply saddened to read of the passing of our former player Charlie Strutton. Our sincerest condolences go to Charlie's family and friends at this extremely difficult time. We are so sorry for your loss. RIP Charlie.”
Former Dons teammate, goalkeeper Seb Brown added: “Speechless. To even contemplate the passing of someone so young, let alone a teammate and a genuine, hardworking person at that! Absolutely gutted. Thoughts are with all his family and friends.”
Dons fan Ray Armfield remembered: “Awful news about Charlie Strutton. That 4-3 York City FA Cup replay win in November 2012 was his finest game in a Dons shirt, with two goals, an assist and the Man of the Match award with TV commentator Martin Tyler describing his bustling style as “a League 2 Wayne Rooney.”
And his former Braintree Town boss Danny Cowley commented: “This is so incredibly sad. Lovely boy and a really good player. So unlucky with injuries… Sending my love to his
