Tributes paid to footballing legend Tony Steenson

Tributes have been paid to much loved footballing icon Tony Steenson, whose passing was announced over the weekend. 

The talismanic figure, who passed away at the age of 78, was best known for his exploits at Hyde United, where he made close to 300 appearances between 1975 and 1984. 

Having begun his career at Salford Amateurs, Steenson went on to become one of the Tigers’ greatest ever captains, leading the club to the Cheshire League treble in the 1981/82 campaign, and thus, guiding them back to the Northern Premier League after a 12-year absence. 

As well as earning legendary status at Ewen Fields, Steenson also had three successful spells with Mossley, including a short one as player manager in 1984. 

Following his retirement, the 1977/78 Hyde Supporters Player of the Year went onto have a fruitful career in advertising, and became synonymous as a charity fundraiser. 

Steenson organised several celebrity football matches over the years, including his own testimonial, which saw the Tigers face a Manchester United XI featuring Bobby Charlton. 

Leading the tributes were his beloved Tigers, whose statement read: 

“The Hyde United Board are extremely saddened to hear of the recent passing of former Player & 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.” 

In his tribute, Pavasovic described Steenson as a ‘pivotal figure in the rebirth of the club’. 

He wrote: “For me there’s essentially two types of football captain. There’s the player who fills the ceremonial role — wears an armband, leads the team out and takes part in the coin toss but is otherwise just another member of the team — and then there’s the leader. He’s the one who commands, organises, motivates and sets an example. 

“I’m thinking primarily of Bobby Moore or Bryan Robson, Billy McNeill or Billy Bremner. But to that inspirational company I would add Tony Steenson. 

“Instantly recognisable thanks to his tall, lean frame and his shock of red (or strawberry blond as he preferred to put it) hair, and known for his 100 per cent commitment to the cause, he quickly became a favourite for the club’s noisiest fans who then gathered behind the Tinker’s Passage goal. 

“And noise was the operative word as Tony never shut up, on or off the field. He was constantly shouting, cajoling and encouraging. Shouts of “Macca, Macca, Macca” to team-mate Paul McMahon, or “red ball” — all delivered in a nasal Salford twang — would echo around Ewen Fields. 

“I’m sure Steeno would also have offered “advice” to the referee. But if he did so it would have been in the friendliest manner. It was no surprise he worked in newspaper sales. He always had the right word for the right moment and bags of charm. 

“That charm extended off the pitch as Tony made a point of knowing all the regular fans. There were lots of handshakes and smiles, he’d speak to everyone as he walked down the team bus or through the social club. At the time I was in my early twenties and it made me feel very special. There are even stories, which I’m fully prepared to believe, about him offering individual apologies after a poor performance. 

“Sadly those days are now gone. There’ll be no more hand-shaking, no more pats on the shoulder, and no more making stalwart fans feel valued as was the case on Tony’s many returns to watch the Tigers play. 

“And those Salford tones will longer be heard. Or will they? 

“I have a feeling that when there’s a night match, the lights are on and the winds are coming down from Werneth Low, if you’re in the Tinker’s Passage stand and you listen closely, you’ll hear shouts of “Macca, Macca, Macca” and “red ball” drifting across the Ewen Fields pitch. 

“God rest you Tony Steenson, Hyde United will miss you.” 

Elsewhere, Chris Bird, who worked with Steenson during his time with Piccadilly Radio, described him as a ‘fantastic friend’, and a ‘Manchester legend’: 

“I met Tony in 1986, when I made my debut for the Piccadilly Attackers, the football team of Piccadilly Radio,” he said. 

“Tony was our captain, coach and team manager, alongside characters like Mike Sweeney. Together, we played charity matches and raised thousands of pounds every year for good causes across Greater Manchester. 

“Tony had a wonderful knack for bringing people together. From pub teams and local businesses to professional footballers and celebrities, he pulled together amazing talents and personalities for a good cause. 

“One of the highlights was playing at Altrincham against a Sir Bobby Charlton XI, with Colin Bell, Tony Dunne, Alex Stepney and many others. 

“My best memory of Tony? I tried to head the ball. I’m only 5ft 5in, so Tony shouted: ‘Birdy, you rose like a salmon then… a tin of **** salmon!’ 

“A great man, a fantastic friend and a true Manchester legend. Rest in peace, Steeno.”