Lee Burrows 1989 – 2004

This is dedicated to Lee Burrows – Lee Burrows died on Saturday 11th September at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford following a cycling accident last Tuesday.

Lee was well known round the club and to me personally. He had been a member of Jim Wade’s Under 15s Royals up to last season when he took up refereeing. That’s when I met Lee. He started handling our Under 8 games towards the end of the season after qualifying as a referee. Lee reffed our Under 9 round robin tournament at Goaters Road last Saturday and I will always remember his big grin on a beautifully sunny day as I paid him for a job really well done.

Lee won the instant respect of parents, players and even opposition managers as someone who was learning to do a very difficult job at a very young age. He was popular, bright and will be sorely missed by everyone at the club. Saturday mornings will not be the same again.

Our thoughts are with his family, in particular, Craig and Blake but also his many friends at Ascot United, Charters School and elsewhere.

Mike Harrison
Chairman

A Tribute from Jim Wade

Lee joined my team at U13 level in August 2001 playing making 37 appearances mainly in midfield and defence over two and a half seasons.

It demonstrates Lee’s character that in January this year he decided that his football ability was not good enough to make a significant contribution to the team and so made the decision to leave the team, even though, in my view he was a good team player. Lee was always prepared to play in any position required and give his best in every match.

For someone small and with a slight build he was very strong and would take on biggest of opponents. Lee was always cheerful and attentive in training and will be greatly missed.

Lee – A message from our vice Presidents

We are all greatly saddened by the loss of Lee. Even at his young age Lee was a great ambassador for the club and the club has already received messages of support from other local clubs, many of whom knew him as a result of him refereeing their games. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Lee’s family, his friends and the the football club.

Gus Poyet, Martin Carroll, Alan Carr
Honorary vice-Presidents, Ascot United Football Club

Lee – A message from Ian Nile

Ian Nile, Chairman of FC Bracknell and East Berks Junior League sent a note to all team managers in East Berks telling them the sad news. He concluded by saying that
” If your Team/Club would also like to observe the one minute silence in memory of Lee, then the League fully supports this mark of respect for a young lad who not only played the game but had started to demonstrate a support for younger players through his refereeing”

The Tribute to Lee

All weekend (18th/19th September) minute’s silences were observed before matches played not only by all Ascot United teams but also by many other teams throughout Bracknell, Wokingham, Sandhurst and elsewhere.

The picture shows the Racecourse ground on a bright sunny morning where several hundred players and parents observed a minutes silence. James Howland, a close friend of Lee’s, blew a whistle to signify the start and end of the minute.

Extract from the memorial and Thanksgiving service for the life of Lee Burrow at All saints’ Church, Ascot Heath, on Friday 24th September 2004

Lee Sutherland Burrows

Born on 6th May 1989 at Heatherwood Hospital Ascot. Brother to Craig (11) and Blake (8). Lee attended ABC Playgroup, Ascot Heath Infant School, Ascot Heath Junior School and finally Charters School.

Lee’s main passion was football and is wearing his new England shirt, generously given to him by his close friends when they heard of his accident. Lee supported Tottenham Hotspurs from an early age, which he shared with his elder cousin Edward and they attended many matches together.

Lee played football representing the Junior school in year 6. He also played for Ascot United for three seasons before giving up last year (2003-2004) but not wanting to leave the sport he loved, decided to do the referee’s course. Along with his friend James Howland, he completed the course and started refereeing tournaments at the end of last season and already had most Saturdays and Sundays booked for September. During his active playing time at Ascot United, Lee counted himself very lucky to be able to receive the end of season trophies from two Spurs players – Glenn Hoddle and Gus Poyet – he received Players Player award for 1999/2000 season and Fair Play award for 2002-2003. It is perhaps a mark of how respected Lee was at the club that they are creating a memorial fund and trophy in his memory.

In 2001 Lee was introduced to Palmer Park Velo cycling club. Supported by our very good friend Gary Clark, Lee was soon taken with the sport and enjoyed all the roundness of the sport – skills, racing, individual and team events. He was a regular member of the club until this year when refereeing became his priority. It wasn’t just Saturday mornings, he enjoyed a Sunday morning with his friends and took part in the Parish Cycle Ride each year and the Three Counties charity ride. It was therefore incomprehensible that he should suffer such an injury as a result of his being on his bike.

Lee enjoyed theme parks and was a regular visitor to Thorpe Park with his friends and this year saw his return to Florida for a second family holiday of a lifetime – the scarier the ride the better. Cornwall was a second home to Lee and he loved the sea, the waves and the body boarding.

Lee was quiet, shy, unassuming, tolerant and sensitive and was just starting to develop a real sense of self-confidence and typical teenager sense of humour. He had discussed plans for ‘A’ levels, university, next year’s prom, even a holiday with his friends in Jersey next year!

Lee was fortunate to be part of a big extended family and loved family get togethers. As a big brother he was sometimes challenging but always just and caring; a guide and a mentor. His parents were thankful for the good friends he surrounded himself with and the active social life he enjoyed with them.