Manchester soccer legend dies as membership and celebs pay tribute to ‘The Gaffer’
A non-league football legend has died sparking a wave of tributes for the charity champion known as “The Gaffer”.
Tony Steenson was a hugely popular figure in Manchester, and the proud city has shown their gratitude to the non-league legend and the orchestrator of orchestrating countless charity matches featuring TV and radio personalities. He passed away aged 78 last week after falling ill while on holiday in Portugal.
The former Hyde United, Salford Amateurs, and Mossley player became famous for staging the All Stars charity football fixtures, which raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for good causes over five decades in Manchester.
Tony Steenson, who organised a host of celebrity sporting events for charity, pictured with former Coronation Street star Phil Middlemiss(Image: Eamonn & James Clarke)
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Beyond his footballing prowess, his constant chatter both on and off the field, combined with his distinctive red hair, made him a beloved and respected figure. Steenson served as sales director for Newsquest Media throughout his working career, while dedicating his spare time to arranging hundreds of charitable events with unwavering dedication spanning decades.
Coronation Street favourite Alan Halsall led a parade of celebrities honouring Steenson’s memory, sharing a photograph alongside “The Gaffa” with the heartfelt message: “I love you mate. Some of my favourite memories of 30 yrs with you.”
Corrie stalwart Phil Middlemiss said: “I met Tony when I first came to do Coronation Street in 1990 and we travelled all over with the football team the All Stars. He was a very good friend of mine, he was a real character, a lot of people say that about people but Tony was the real McCoy – one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met.
Charity champion Tony Steenson(Image: Eamonn & James Clarke)
“A great friend and I would say a legend in Manchester as other people will see by the amount of people who will turn out for his funeral. I think there will be everyone, even Andy Burnham used to play for the All Stars as well. He brought everyone together, a real, warm-hearted genuine man.”
BBC DJ Mike Sweeney also paid a touching tribute, saying: “I met Tony Steenson in 1983 when I played in his testimonial match at Hyde United, he then took over as manager of The Piccadilly Attackers and made us one of the most successful charity football clubs in the country.
“That team eventually became the Jet 2 TV Allstars. Tony spent over four decades arranging charity football matches and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity. He was an absolutely unique individual and I was proud to have him as a team-mate and one of my oldest friends. I’ll miss you so much Tony.”
Manchester-born former West Bromwich star, Len Cantello, who also turned out for Bolton Wanderers, said: “Great guy. Not enough words to say how he was respected in everything he touched. I think I speak for everyone in the football world – he will be so sadly missed. As he always said, top man, and he was.”
Non-league fans also paid tribute on social media, with one user saying: “Best Captain Hyde United have ever had. True Hyde legend,” a second echoed : “Hyde United legend. That squeaky voice will be missed.”
A third commented: “Lovely man – always a kind word for everyone”, while another lauded: “Really looked after me when I signed for Salford Ammies, best organiser of a back four and great company.”
Steenson started his playing career in the late 1960s with Salford Amateurs, who would eventually transform into League 2 outfit, Salford City. He put pen to paper with Mossley in November 1972, though the club’s boss stepped down within a week, leaving him surplus to requirements under the new management and prompting his return to Salford Amateurs.
Then player/coach Tony Steenson with player Matthew Marsden at an FA Cup fixture(Image: Sunday Mercury)
Steenson rejoined Mossley in August 1973 and spent the following two campaigns as a defensive stalwart, clocking up 133 appearances while netting four goals.
He made the switch to Hyde United in September 1975 where he enjoyed a distinguished spell. Steenson returned to Mossley in August 1984 in an assistant manager capacity before eventually being promoted to player-manager.
His former team, Hyde United, shared: “The Hyde United Board are extremely saddened to hear of the recent passing of former player and captain, Tony Steenson. Having joined in 1975, Tony went on to make 276 appearances for the club up to leaving at the end of the 83/84 season and was Supporters’ Player of the Year in 77/78.
“A born leader and organiser (you could literally hear his shouts all around the ground!), he was arguably one of Hyde United’s greatest ever captains, leading the team to the Cheshire League treble in 81/82 and promotion back to the Northern Premier League.
“Our club historian, Mike Pavasovic is in the process of producing a more in-depth tribute and the club intends to pay our respects properly to Tony at a future match, which will be notified to everyone in good time. On behalf of everyone involved at Hyde United, we send our deepest sympathies to Tony’s family and friends”.
