Hedley Alan Mutton (28 Feb 1945 - 4 Jun 2020)

In loving memory of Hedley Alan Mutton (known as Alan) who sadly passed away on 4th June 2020.

Alan is survived by his partner of 27 years, Sue, his wife, Sheila, and four of their five children, Alison, Justine, Sally and Jonathan. His other son, Graeme passed away in 2015. Alan was also a proud and wonderful Grandfather to Rebecca, Matthew, Evan, Tyler, Hannah, Millie, Kira and Constance.

He was born in Barrow-in-Furness on 28th February 1945 to his parents Hedley and Betty. He was raised on a farm in Backbarrow and had his first job at the age of 3 when he used to wake up at 4am to help his father with the milk round! These hard-working roots never left him through his career in HMRC. He had three brothers Geoff, Brian (who tragically died in an accident when very young) and Trevor. He went to Leven Valley school until age 11 when he went to Ulverston Grammar School where he enjoyed playing sports such as rugby, athletics and football. He also played rugby for Vickerstown rugby club and football for Haverthwaite teams (touring Belgium and Holland in 1959) as well as Ulverston Rangers. He regularly went to Holker Street to watch Barrow AFC with his mother and one of his brothers, Geoff. His Headmaster at Ulverston Grammar School took the unusual step at the time of asking Alan's father for him to stay on at school for the Sixth Form. However, this was not possible and he joined the Inland Revenue at age 16 from leaving school. He transferred to London in 1964 where he met his future wife, Sheila. After marrying in 1966 they moved to Scotland where Alan worked for offices in East Kilbride and Hamilton. Alan and Sheila moved to Blackwood where they had four of their children: Alison, Justine, Graeme and Sally. The family moved to Deeping St James in 1981 where their fifth child Jonathan was born.

Alan worked for the Inland Revenue in Peterborough and Huntington from 1981 until his initial retirement in May 2005. During his time working for the Inland Revenue (now HMRC) he was promoted through the grades, passing the Inland Revenue Final Departmental Examination - a very prestigious qualification - in 1987. By early 2006 he was back working for HMRC at the Large Business Office in Peterborough and volunteering for a Charity Tax Help for Older People as a Regional Volunteer Tax advisor. As his role in Tax Help for Older People grew he fully retired from HMRC and in 2007 he also became an examination invigilator at Bourne Grammar School (also doing invigilation at the Stamford Endowed Schools) until his death.

From 1993 until 2012 he lived in Bourne with his loyal and loving partner Sue, moving to Market Deeping with her in 2012 and living there until his passing.

In 2018 Alan became involved in a new charity called Don’t Lose Hope offering help and advice to improve mental health and became the Vice Chair of Trustees. He gave his time willingly and proudly to this charity and he would often pop into the community café to help with the dishes and to have a scone.

Alan had a real passion for refereeing and in 2018 received a Football Association Award in Recognition of 50 years’ service to Football. He officiated on the United Counties, Peterborough & District and Peterborough Youth Leagues, while also being given numerous appointments on Lincolnshire County and Local Cup competitions. He wanted to help to develop younger referees and support local communities through sport. To this end he had been a trustee of the Peterborough Football and Sports Development Foundation since its Foundation in 2016. He was also extremely active, giving service on various refereeing committees. He held various positions within the Peterborough Football Association until its demise in 2018. He was a current vice-president and life member of the Peterborough & District Football League while also having the present office of Development Director. He served as its chairman from 1998-2001. He served as a council member and treasurer of the Lincolnshire County Referees Association for a period of over 20 years. He was president of the Stamford & District Referees Association from 2004 - 2019 when he insisted on stepping down. He also served as treasurer and then as acting treasurer for a period of 3 years while the association looked for another secretary. He served as representative for the United Counties Referees and Assistant Referees Association to the United Counties Football League for a number of years.

Alan was a true gentleman who had a great sense of humour and who gave his time generously. This could have been in assisting referees, acting at local and general elections as a polling clerk and the Presiding Officer for over 10 years, helping the local bowling club with their books, supporting local theatre companies or in his charitable work. He even found the time for season tickets at Manchester United and Peterborough United and was very pleased that his home town club Barrow AFC were due to be promoted back into the football league. No matter what he was doing he would always be there for his children whenever he was needed. This supportive nature as a father was extended to his grandchildren who he loved dearly; he would always cheer them on at events in their schools or at their football or hockey matches.

He will be truly missed by both his family and friends and all those he served locally.