Well respected referee who dedicated over 50 years of his life to football dies after contracting coronavirus

A referee who dedicated more than 50 years of his life to football hasdied after contracting coronavirus.

Tom Harvey passed away peacefully, a week before his birthday, atGretton Court care home in Hartlepool on Good Friday. The 86-year-old grandfather, from Hartlepool, had tested positive for COVID-19.

Tom was a "well-respected" member of the Durham FA as a Vice Presidentfor the South East Division and Chairman of the Associations RefereesCommittee.

Durham FA awarded him a gold medal to commemorate 50 years of serviceduring which he tutored inmates in HM Prison Holme House and washeavily involved in the start of girls football within the county.

He also played an integral part of Durham County FA's work to promotegirls' football, helping to set up fixtures held at Chester-le-StreetRiverside and at East Durham College.

Tom also received an award for services to sport from HartlepoolBorough Council in 1997.

Tom and his wife Josie were married for almost 50 years. The couple had three children - Neil, 61, Anthony, 57, and Angela -and four grandchildren.

Tony was secretary of Hartlepool Church Football League, as well asits cricket section. He also served as a volunteer bookkeeper for St Joseph's RC Church.

Tom was also a member of Hartlepool Royal Naval Club Bowls for morethan 30 years and spent more than a decade with Hartlepool Male VoiceChoir.

Towards the end of his life, he moved into Gretton Court care home inHartlepool.

Angela said: "I'd ring up the care home and they'd say my dad was satin his chair singing 'Amazing Grace' he loved singing."

She said that her dad's death on April 10 will leave a huge hole in the family.

Tom’s family are planning to hold a memorial service for him once thecoronavirus outbreak comes to an end.