Witton Albion received the following message from John Fidler:
[size=4][i]It is with regret that I have to inform you that my father, Frank Fidler, who played for you for a number of years passed away on Saturday 21st November 2009. He was 85 years of age when he died and still enjoyed football.
On the 12th September 2006, we came for a special evening game in his honour with some other footballers of the time. This was a very special evening for him and the Match programme for that evening is a special keepsake for us all. We would like to thank you for this memory.[/i][/size]
I did see Frank though I was only a kid, from memory he was one hell of a finisher and brave as a lion, he is a sad loss to us all but particularly to his family. He will always be a hero to anyone in my age group who loves Witton.
WHS.
Whilst never having see Frank play I believe that either Jim Powell or Andy Chad arranged for him to come down to the ground on the night in question and it was a pleasure to meet Frank and to talk to him about the Witton of old.
My mum claims to have been on his shoulders after one of the Cheshire Cup victories in the early 50’s. She’ll be sad today. And that’s one hell of a goal scoring ratio.
A fantastic scoring record from the era of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct many thanks to the family for letting the club know, best wishes to them.
Sad news but I’m glad that he lived to such a ripe old age and was enjoying his football to the end.
‘Legend’ is an overused word but the fact that wittoners who weren’t born when he played for the club still revere his name says it all.
I treasure the autograph I got from him when he visited Wincham a few years ago.
It would be nice if we could keep his name alive in association with the club. Perhaps a ‘Frank Fidler’ trophy to be given to the top goalscorer each season?
I floated the idea of a ‘Witton Albion Hall Of Fame’ to Neil a few weeks ago, and hopefully it is something that we are going to look at. I am sure that Frank Fidler would be one of the first names put forward.
Condolences to Franks family,great player,with brilliant strike rate.Could the club name part of the stand as the “Frank Fidler stand” in memory of frank?
Sorry I’ve not been on earlier for this. The passing of yet another Albion legend is very sad indeed. Never saw Frank play but my dad used to tell me he was the best goalscorer he’d ever seen and my mates Tony Dean and Big George tell me he was fantastic both on the deck and in the air. I missed out on meeting him a couple of years ago and I’m really sad about that. My condolences to Franks family and friends. I think the idea of naming something after Frank is great, also don’t lets forget Alf Ashley who we lost earlier this year some kind of joint thing would be brilliant. These two guys for me symbolise all thats good about Witton Albion. We have many legends some of who are living one’s including the young lad with a number 4 on his back still playing. Lets continue to honour them and welcome them when they visit our great club.
Thanks “Barnsie Barnsie” yet another name to conjur with. Fantastic!!