It is with great sadness that we must report the passing of Bill Dance, Honorary Senior Life Vice-President and former Chair of Hertfordshire FA

Bill had a lifelong passion for football and sought every opportunity to be involved in the game. A player for many years at Lemsford, he would later go on to manage the club, as well as starting a works team at the local firm where he was employed.

He took up refereeing in the 1950s and was a member of the Mid Herts Referees' Society on which he served as Chairman for 20 years and later President. He was also a proud holder of the Referees' Association Meritorious Service Award.

He would also become an Assistant Referee on the Football League and was selected by The FA to officiate on a number of international friendlies, one in Spain and the other Italy, which was a great honour and reflected his standing in the game.

He joined Hertfordshire FA in 1981 and held a position on most committees down the years, as well as serving as Vice Chair and Chair, before retiring in 2007. A tireless worker for the game, he was honoured with a 50 Years Service Award from The FA in 2006.

Bill’s passion for the local game never diminished and he continued to be a fixture at County Cup finals, even as he reached his 92nd birthday earlier this month.

In addition to being Honorary Senior Life Vice-President of Hertfordshire FA, he had also held the positions of President of the North and Mid Herts League and Life Vice President of the Welwyn and Hatfield Sunday League.

Graham Phillips, Chair of Hertfordshire FA said:

“We are all deeply saddened to hear that our dear friend Bill has passed away. Everyone at Hertfordshire FA sends their sincere condolences to his family and friends and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult time. He will be sadly missed”.

Terry Izzard who served alongside Bill at Hertfordshire FA on many committees said:

“Bill used to say that if you get satisfaction from something then you should always try and give back and he certainly did that, with over 70 years of dedicated service to the game of football. Thank you Bill for your lifelong friendship”.

Karl Lingham, CEO of Hertfordshire FA said:

“Throughout his life Bill was devoted to grassroots football. Generations of players in our county will have benefitted from his hard work and dedication in various roles across the local game, the legacy of which will continue to be felt for a long time to come”.

Funeral Arrangements

For those that wish to pay their respects, the family have indicated that all are welcome to attend the service and share their memories of Bill. The funeral will take place on 29th May at 11.45am at Harwood Park Crematorium, Watton Road, Stevenage, SG2 8XT, followed by a wake at Knebworth Golf Club.

They have however requested that only family bring flowers and that others are invited to make a donation to either Isabel Hospice or Marie Curie in Bill’s memory.