Tommy joined Hoddesdon CC after he had packed up playing football in the late 70’s and was a useful medium/ fast bowler and a fierce competitor. He enjoyed many games playing with his son Gary and was known at the cricket club as being a great all round sportsman, great character and a lovely man.

Although he enjoyed playing cricket, his main love was football. Tommy joined Crystal Palace in December 1958 from Chatham Town and made his debut in March the next year.

Playing either as a forward or outside-right, Tommy scored two goals from 15 senior appearances and played regularly in the Reserves.

His greatest impact at Palace came with a crucial winning goal against Aldershot Town that promoted Palace from Division Four after Tommy competed throughout the final seven games. This goal ended Palace's time in the fourth-tier and the club hasn't been back since, with Tommy to thank for making that possible.

He joined Margate upon leaving south London and later moved to Romford, where he became a club legend with 479 appearances and 201 goals.

Tommy made the move from Margate to Romford for a fee of £200 in 1962. He went on to score 201 goals in 479 appearances - only one of which was a penalty.

Those of a certain age that remember him have said that he was probably the best player Romford had, and a prolific goal scorer in the ‘60s”.

His last match in a Romford shirt was a 0-0 draw with King’s Lynn in April 1970, and after that Tommy stayed in football for a number of years. After retiring, Tommy managed St Albans City, Hoddesdon Town and Hertford Town.

In later life, Tommy and his family owned The Gate pub in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, a big real ale pub that they initially got the lease for in 1988.

A favourite watering hole of many beer lovers, his son Gary said that running the pub was “very hard in the early days” but ended up thriving.

Tommy passed away on March 14 at James Paget Hospital, after a battle with liver and lung cancer.

The clubs thoughts go out to his two children, Gary and Tracy, and his wife Jean, with whom he would have celebrated 62 years together in June.

Tommys funeral will be held at Woolensbrook, Hoddesdon on the 14th April at 1pm

RIP Tommy Barnett 1936-2022