It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend and Club Legend, Tony Wahlhaus. Tony had been unwell for some time, and in recent weeks, he gently slipped away. His loss is felt deeply by all who knew and played alongside him.

Tony joined the Club in 2015, part of our very first wave of members. From the beginning, his leadership stood out—not through loud words, but through unwavering dedication, integrity, and an innate ability to bring people together.

He holds a special place in our history as the original Club Legend: our first-ever captain, the first to lead us to a trophy, to a League title, to Essex League Cup glory, and ultimately to a European title. He set the standard for what it meant to wear the armband—and more importantly, what it meant to care about this Club.

Tony was the very first recipient of the Players’ Player of the Year award, a testament to the respect and admiration he earned from his teammates. One of the first players to reach the 500-game milestone, Tony went on to play an incredible 652 matches, scoring 173 goals along the way.

As a footballer, Tony was fiercely talented. He made it as far as the South East Regional England teams, and many believed he could have gone even further. But Tony wasn’t in it for the accolades—he was a team man through and through. His drive and skill were sometimes overshadowed by others, but those who played with him knew his value ran deep.

Tony held us all to high standards, and we knew when we weren’t meeting them—often through a well-timed word (or two!) in the heat of a big game. But those words came from a place of passion and commitment, and they made us better.

Beyond the pitch, Tony played a huge role in shaping the culture of the Club. He loved the long car journeys with new players, using the time to connect, welcome, and guide them. He wasn’t afraid to have the difficult conversations when someone needed reminding of what the Club stood for. He lived our values and helped others live them too.

One moment that still brings a smile was the time a goal of his, captured on a mobile phone, sparked a massive online debate about whether the ball had crossed the line. For the record—it did.

Tony Wahlhaus will always be a part of this Club. His legacy isn’t just in the trophies or the games played—it’s in the countless lives he touched, the standards he set, and the love he gave to the game and the people in it.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Rest in peace, Tony. 💛🖤