Tom Wilson (Year Elected - 2003) - Deceased

Tom was the League’s first sponsor through his company St. Quentin’s.  The deal in 1984 was a then astronomical £10,000 a year for 5 years, no strings attached: there is no truth in the legend that Tom did it in order to have 16 more watering holes on a Saturday – although he did manage to visit every club at least once in the first two years!

Before settling down in business he had played professional football for Fulham FC alongside the likes of Jimmy Hill, Johnny Haynes and George Cohen (George would later read the eulogy at Tom’s funeral) before going on to captain Brentford FC.  After his playing days finished and he had established himself in the City he became a director of Fulham and, along with Jimmy Hill, helped to save the club from insolvency.

His hospitality was legendary and his end of season match in his capacity as President of Hampshire Stragglers CC in the middle of the golf course at Petersfield against the Vice-President’s XI (Jimmy Hill) was always a fitting way to prepare for the winter.