Everyone at Cheltenham Town Football Club was saddened to hear of the passing of former player Tony Haskins, who died on Monday of this week aged 87.
Tony was the club's regular left back for two and a half seasons in the early 1960s having previously played for his home town club, Northampton Town.
He joined The Cobblers straight from school and made his Football League debut in a Division Four match away to Torquay United in September 1959, going on to make eight first team appearances before leaving on a free transfer in the summer of 1962.
Cheltenham manager Arch Anderson was looking to re-build the side after the disappointment of relegation from the Southern League Premier Division and he beat off competition from Wisbech Town and Rugby Town to sign Tony.
He established himself quickly and the following season formed an effective full-back partnership alongside fellow ex-Cobbler Tony Claypole, as Roger Thorndale switched to right half with the team winning promotion back to the Premier Division.
Described in a ‘pen picture’ of the time as “a strong, fearless player and a tenacious tackler with a fine turn of speed” he remained as first choice left back in the 1964-65 season, barring a couple of outings in midfield.
Tony asked to be released from his contract in January 1965 having landed a job outside football that required work on Saturdays.
Cheltenham agreed reluctantly as the squad was down to 11 fit professionals at the time but the job was short lived and he re-surfaced shortly afterwards at King’s Lynn, ironically the venue for his last game in Cheltenham colours.
In total Tony played 120 games for the Robins, scoring three goals.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Tony's family and friends at this sad time.