WOKING stalwart Andy Turner was honoured with a posthumous Volunteer of the Year award at last night's National League presentation evening.
Turner had been associated with the Cards for more than 30 years.
A committed volunteer over that time, he took on various roles, including match-day announcer and company secretary.
He was also a supporters' club member who tackled anything that needed doing. That included stepping up as Woking's Covid officer.
National League Covid officer Colin Peake got to know Turner and had immense respect for him, and all those people, mainly volunteers, at clubs up and down the country who worked so hard during the pandemic.
Speaking at the awards, Peake said: “It was clear to me in his role around Covid that Andy's primary objective was to keep everyone safe, through adherence to protocols and maintaining immaculate records of player testing; and if he wasn't sure he had it correct, he'd ask me. He didn't wing it. He was a truly professional volunteer in that respect.
“As with all our clubs, my first question on my telephone calls to the Covid officers was to ask about their well-being because no one was immune from the disease.
“On one occasion in Andy's case, he said he wasn't feeling great and, as time went on, I knew he ought to be putting himself first and not others.
“But, typical of Andy, he felt a duty to others and, unfortunately, when he did refer himself to be checked out he was found to have terminal cancer.
“Andy passed away just three weeks after his 60th birthday and his eagerly awaited retirement. And two weeks before his untimely passing we lifted Covid restrictions.
“He had so much to look forward to. He was a cornerstone for his club and, as a mark of what he meant, they've even named a beer after him.
“At his funeral so many tributes were paid. I attended to show my personal respect for a true club volunteer and someone who put others first in these difficult times we've all had to work through.
“Not having presented this volunteer category since 2019 due to the pandemic, the National League cannot think of a better recipient who epitomises the terminology ‘volunteer'.
“It is the first time we believe we have had to carry out the sad duty of presenting a posthumous award. Despite that, our decision was unanimous that Andy's commitment should be rightly and richly recognised with something tangible. He will be sorely missed.”
Turner's sister Julie Noble, accompanied by her husband Richard, received the award on his behalf.
