It's been nearly 2 years since the passing of one of the club's most memorable figures. Pat Clare, former manager and mentor to so many Long Stratton F.C. players 40 years ago.
Former Stratton player, captain, manager, coach and committee member Brian Lythgoe remembers Pat fondly....

"Pat was one of the most enthusiastic people I've ever met and what many would call a true gent. I would doubt that many now in the club would have known him from the football aspect but some will have known him from his years as coach of the swimming club, which he became involved with after he finished his football duties.
Pat was at various times our first team manager or reserve team manager over a number of years in the late 1960's and the early 1970's whilst carrying on his Forestry Management business. He, alongside Sonny Dewing (The then LSFC Chairman & local Milkman) plied me over some months with various goodies of free eggs, butter, bushes and trees to leave the dizzy heights of Senior football to come and play in the old Norwich & District league where Long Stratton played. In those days that league was full of teams where showers and even changing rooms were often optional!

When I was first team captain before I went to work early on a Saturday morning Pat would often phone me to..(in his words).. "think about something" ..as I drove to work in Ipswich (iphones and blackberry's were some years off at this time!). He would often just pop around the house uninvited on a Friday evening to discuss team matters and it wasn't a five minute job! But his amazing enthusiasm excused everything.

He was extemely instrumental in getting the club to top positions in the Norwich & District league and consequently then the club's acceptance into the Anglian Combination League.

He was a very honest and decent bloke who undoubtedly made a significant contribution to the club and helped ensure we exist and thrive today."

Although Pat has passed on, his memory won't be forgotten at the football club and paticuarly so in the fact his grandson is now rising through the youth ranks here. Joe, recently 15 is a powerful centre-midfield for our Under-15's team in the Norfolk & Suffolk Youth League. Although his parents (mother is Pat's daughter Vicky) live in Harleston, Joe is committed to Long Stratton F.C. and we are very much looking forward to seeing him continue through to the adult teams here. He won managers player of the season award in the Under-14's last season. (see pic)