The last surviving footballer to have played for Southend United before the club moved to Roots Halls passed away on Easter Sunday.

Family and friends have paid tribute to Peter Heathcote, “a funny, loving and caring” man who was a legend of Southend’s footballing scene.

The 89-year-old died following a short illness, leaving behind his wife Patricia, two sons Darren, 56, and Jeff, 60, five grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.

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“Everyone who ever met him in life said he was a legend,” Darren said.

Echo: Loving father - Peter HeathcoteLoving father - Peter Heathcote

“He was the most honourable guy you could ever meet. He was funny and loving.

“He had a great relationship with the boys he was coaching. He could joke with them and take the piss, but would know when to put his arm around them too.”

Peter is believed to be the last living Shrimper who had played for the club before its move to Roots Hall in 1955, having played twice in goal during the 1951/52 season.

His playing career for Southend United was short lived, moving to Gravesend United in 1952, but returning to coach in Southend for almost 50 years.

Echo: Youthful - Peter as a youngster playing for Leicester CityYouthful - Peter as a youngster playing for Leicester City

Born in Leicester in 1932, Peter grew up playing for Leicester City’s youth teams, reaching two national youth finals, playing in front of crowds in excess of 20,000.

Aged 16 he moved to Southend, joining the Shrimpers a few years later.

“His wage back in those Grainger Road days was £7 per week but he left us in 1952 tempted by the £14 per week Gravesend were offering him, staying there for ten years before taking up coaching including a short spell back at Southend in the Arthur Rowley years,” Andrew Leeder, who runs the Southend United Ex Players Association, recalled.

Echo: All smiles - Peter Heathcote holds a picture of himself playing for Leicester City in a youth finalAll smiles - Peter Heathcote holds a picture of himself playing for Leicester City in a youth final

 

While playing for Gravesend, he continued to live in Southend, where he met his future wife Patricia, at the time 19, at a party in Warrior Square in 1958. The couple married two years later.

Following his playing days, Peter coached at Southend United and various nonleague sides while also working as a PE teacher at Alleyn Court School in Westcliff for 45 years, only retiring aged 80.

Granddaughter Amy Heathcote said: “He was always a really caring and fun grandad who cherished his grandchildren and great children.

“It’s such a loss that he is now gone.”