Football in Swale is coming to terms with the passing of Sittingbourne director Peter Pitts earlier this week – a man who along with his twin brother John has been the mainstay of the Brickies for over thirty years.
Mr Pitts tragically passed away on Monday just months after his wife Jackie lost a brave throat cancer fight, and worked alongside KSN’s Mike Green at Woodstock Park for the past three seasons and he pays our tribute to one half of a remarkable double act…
“I first met Peter and John over thirty years ago and since then despite all the changes that I have witnessed in Kent football, the Pitts and Sittingbourne FC have been in partnership that no other Club in Kent can match. Others have tried and come close, but the Pitts brothers and Sittingbourne have remained a constant in counties footballing circles and far beyond.
Peter was a quiet unassuming man who I got to know especially well since answering a call to help the Brickies out with match day reporting and other match day jobs. I was at my lowest ebb personally when I saw Peters request online, and replying to it changed my life forever as it brought Peter into my life.
Away from football, Peter may have been diminutive in stature, but he was a true colossus – always there for a caring ear whilst also being supportive and encouraging to everyone who asked… but at the same time over the past months looking after his poor wife Jackie as he nursed her through a period of life that no one would wish to experience as his beloved wife bravely fought cancer before succumbing to the disease just a few short months ago.
Peter was not just the “voice” of the Staxson Stadium on matchdays – with his quirky comments always appreciated – he also looked after the Brickies website and was programme editor as well. He also was responsible for all the technical stuff at the ground and was one of the most recognisable, well-liked faces in Non-League football – a fact that has been borne out by the ever-increasing number of clubs to have commented on the social media streams that broadcast the desperately sad news…
I am proud to have called Peter my friend; proud to have had the opportunity to get to know him away from our great game, and so proud of the incredible work that he put into a football Club that I am so happy to currently call home.
Peter was not one of a kind – he was half of the most amazing double act that Kent football has in my view ever seen and to his brother John and his family – along with Peter’s family of daughter Helen and son Graham – words are simply not enough to do this terrible news any form of justice.
Goodbye my friend as you reunite with your beloved Jackie – RIP Uncle Pete!”