It is with regret that we have to announce the sad news of Theo Peters’ passing and we send our condolences to his wife Barbara. Theo was a very popular, jovial, bubbly character who was so well known in the local football world as well as being a highly regarded volunteer at Hitchin Town Football Club.

Theo was a legend among local referees and you would not find any player who would say a bad word about him. I played in many games where Theo was the referee and he was always the type of referee players wanted. He got to know so many Hitchin Sunday League players and you always got the feeling that he was really enjoying what he did and was certainly not doing it for money. Towards the end of his career he still continued to referee even when he was struggling with various injury problems. He became infamous for rarely leaving the centre circle at this time and would always be happy to have his leg pulled about this. But Theo cared and many times he helped me out when I needed match officials for Hitchin at short notice (including academy games) and he would just ignore the pain he may have been in.

He began to help Hitchin Town in various ways. He was in charge of hospitality for visiting match and opposition officials for a couple of seasons and all referees seemed to know Theo so he was always a popular figure and very rarely missed a game. He also helped me by organising match officials for our pre season games and never let me down. He then organised match officials for the academy team at The Arena in Baldock for a couple of seasons.

Theo also got involved with the Ability Counts team and was a regular presence at their Monday sessions. We have heard from his wife Barbara just how much he loved his work with the Ability Counts team and it was typical of Theo to be giving his time to help others.

Unfortunately Theo had been suffering from illness for the last couple of seasons but I will always remember that beaming smile and his ever present laughter and he will be missed by all at the Club and all of the local football community.

Roy Izzard

The funeral service details are as follows:

Monday 18th June at 1.15 pm at Harwood Park Crematorium, Watton Road, Stevenage SG2 8XT.

The funeral service is open to all who knew Theo and wish to pay their respects. Afterwards will be a private family gathering only. Family flowers only.

For those who wish to donate to Theo’s chosen charity, Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, they may:

Put a donation by cash or cheque in the collection plate at the funeral service in an envelope provided by Essex and Herts Air Ambulance

Or by cheque by posting an envelope addressed to:

Essex and Herts Air Ambulance
Unit 5a Hadham Industrial Estate
Church End
Little Hadham
SG12 2DY

Or by website ehaat.org
(Under the billing information on the payment page there is a section entitled ‘additional information – order notes’ please quote in the order notes box In memory of Theo Peters ID 0956292)

All donations to be

In memory of Theo Peters

ID 0956292