Many of us in the SABA region will miss him greatly and mourn his passing.
Those amongst us who had the honour to call him a friend will feel a huge
sorrow at this loss. Others who only knew him in passing will still grieve
for someone who touched pretty much everyones lives.
On behalf of our membership, we extend our sympathies to Steve's family in
this time of pain and loss. We wish them well and offer our heartfelt
condolences.
The Executive would like to ask all members who knew Steve to offer up some
words to the following list of condolences. Please email
webmaster@solentbasketball.co.uk
with your name and words and so that they can be posted on this page for everyone to view.
Rest In Peace Steve, long may you live in the hearts of those who knew you well.
- Tim Kingman
- It was with great sadness I heard of Steve's passing. It was always a pleasure to have Steve
refereeing at Weymouth. Steve was a true gentleman and will be missed very much he was a great
mentor and help to me in my early days of refereeing.
Gone but not forgotten
- Liam Wyatt
- Steve has refereed me since I was 12 years old and possibly gave me more T’s than any other referee
in the Solent Area! I always had a good laugh with him before, during and after the game. He will be missed,
but never forgotten
- Chris Bunnett
I have known Steve since 1974 as part of the RCT Basketball, he will be sadly missed by all!
My Deepest sympathy to his family!
I humbly implore You to grant Your special graces to Steve’s family.
May his home be the shrine of peace, purity, love, labour and faith.
I beg You, dear Jesus, to protect and bless all of them, absent and present, living
and dead.
- Tim Brown:
-
I have known Steve for many,many years and as an ex Army player I will always remember
his firm but fair Refereeing. He always seemed to be there whenever I was playing in
Army tournaments and was one of the most respected Referees of his era. In my later
years I refereed with Steve and my most recent memories were of him representing the
Solent Area at the Warrior Tournament that I ran until my retirement from the Army at
the end of last year. On behalf of the Army Basketball Association and the Wessex Area
I would like to offer sincere condolences to Steve's family. He will be missed but never forgotten.
- Chris Chubb:
- I was greatly saddened to hear the news that Steve had passed away.
Steve had been refereeing locally as far back as I can remember – which is a very long time!
It was on one of the many refereeing courses that he mentored me and others as to the art of
refereeing basketball. He was always reliable, supportive and a great ambassador for the game.
He always wanted to see basketball played even if he had to cover a game on his own.
Steve’s impact on local basketball will last much longer than the time he has been with us.
Steve, I will remember you as one of the Refs who enjoyed a pint with the teams afterwards,
so Cheers & Thanks
- Stephen House:
-
This is very sad news – I was not aware Steve was so ill, he will be sorely missed.
I have refereed many games with Steve over the past many years and always found him
to be 100% committed and reliable and good fun! He also did much for the area and his
unrelenting service will be hard to follow, let alone surpass.
I trust he will rest well, and all thoughts to his family.
- Eric Bosence:
-
A good friend who was always willing to help, and someone who was forever in the basketball fraternity in this area.
A well liked and respected referee who brought a whole host of experience to basketball.
You will be sadly missed my friend, and I raise my glass to you, rest in peace.
- Calvin Barnett:
-
Hello everyone
As Steve's little brother I would just like to say how heart warming it is to know that
Steve had so many true friends who loved him and will always remember him. As will I
Thanks
- Mel Garlick:
- Steve thanks for all your help over the years. You have been a great friend and mentor
and I will miss our chats. My deepest sympathy goes to all your family. RIP
- Chris & Julie Mills:
-
Julie and myself are greatly saddened by the news of Steve's passing.
He will be missed both as a friend and a dear colleague.
Our paths crossed many times over the last twenty years, as a player and as a fellow referee.
There are lots of fantastic memories that He will leave with me forever.
I echo the comments from Andrew. Steve always liked to make an entrance
(blowing three as he entered the gym). It was saying to all, don't worry, I am here now.
Going for a sly fag at half time and then still being the first one to the pub afterward.
I will remember Steve especially as dear friend who helped me a lot over my refereeing career.
So much I cannot put into words.
We will never forget the happiness and the laughter you brought to the game we love
and to the lives we lead.
Steve "You will always be in the "Fan Club" "
- John Longland:
-
It was with great sadness that I had to pass on to the Basketball community the news of
Steve’s passing away yesterday (2nd January).
Steve and his family have been close friends to me and my family for many years as well
as Steve being such an influence on my, Andrew’s and Sophie’s refereeing. It was Steve who
was the first to know that I had met someone rather special at Caister in 2002 and he became
a very good friend to Sophie.
We spent many hours working out referees appointments for the area and I will never forgive
him when he ‘retired’ and left me to do it for next few years. But where Steve will be missed
most is on the court. He would take on any game whether it be minis, schools, universities,
local league or senior national league and was surely Mr. Dependable.
When I took on making the appointments for Solent Kestrels I knew there would always be one
referee who would be there to help and believe me the last two years have been made so difficult
without him.
His control and on court discipline was an example to us all and even his nickname of Mr. T
was given in kindness. So many of us owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his service to basketball.
I have lost someone very dear to me and basketball has lost a great devotee to the sport.
Steve, you will never be forgotten.
- Sophie Longland:
-
Steve. I am going to miss you so much. You will not only be greatly missed in the basketball
community but as our very dear friend. Steve had such a huge impact in my refereeing ability and
I owe a lot to him. Without his support, advice and most of all friendship I would not have made
a very confident referee.
I remember when I was an apprentice referee. My first game I reffed with Steve who was also
mentoring me. I was so nervous. I remember running around like a headless chicken, getting my
mechanics all wrong and forgetting to blow my whistle (no change there!). Steve never got frustrated
with me. At half time he took me to one side, told me to take a deep breath, relax, calm down and to
communicate. From that day 7 years ago they were sound words that have and always will stay with me.
I have a lot to thank him for, without the support and encouragement I received from Steve I wouldn’t
be a confident referee. I thank you Steve.
I have some fond memories of Steve. He would always think he was right and you could never get him
to back down. I remember countless times in the pub arguing the toss until it was closing time.
I asked him once whether he preferred to ref womens or mens games he replied I referee basketball.
Steve’s reputation gave him the nickname ‘Mr T’ Steve always said to me if a player or coach warrants
a technical foul DO NOT HESITATE! The ref is the one in control.
We would always go for a drink after a game, whether it was a local league game or a national league
game. If I was in any doubt about my refereeing ability during that game, Steve would always listen and
give me advice on how I could improve.
I would always look forward to Steve coming to Caister once a year especially if he was driving as we
would make there in no time Steve didn’t hang about for anyone.
He always loved a curry and a beer. Next time I have a curry I will raise a glass to my dear friend
Steve. I will miss you so much.
Our thoughts are with Steve’s family at this very sad time.
Gone but certainly not forgotten.
- Andrew Longland:
-
Steve has left behind a huge amount of memories for so many people and will be sorely missed,
both in the Solent area and out on the National League circuit.
For me personally, Steve was a good friend, as well as a refereeing colleague, and was really part
of the family, having known him from a very young age.
Steve had a great influence on me in my very early years as a referee.
When I was just 12 years old, he tutored my grade 3 course and mentored me for many years after that.
I remember spending many hours talking to him at games in the "greenhouse" gym at Marchwood Military Port.
I certainly learnt a lot from him, especially the art of talking to players and coaches with the whistle
in my mouth.I had the pleasure and honour of refereeing with Steve many hundreds of times at various levels over
the years and enjoyed working with him every time. I even had the distinct honour of refereeing some of
the games that Steve played in. That was an experience!
I'd like to share some of the things that I'll always remember about Steve.....
- Blowing 3 minutes as he walked in the door of the sports hall!
- Dishing out a T to a player who looked at him in the wrong way!
- Teaching me that no matter how well or badly you've refereed a game, you always deserve a pint (or 2) on the way home!
- Singing Two Little Boys in the bar on the ferry to Holland!
My condolences go to Chris, Clinton, Chadleigh and Ryan.
Rest in peace Steve and I will think of you every time I have a pint after a game
but I will miss my old buddy!
- Alan Harrod:
-
It is with deepest sadness that my best mate has passed away after
a long struggle with cancer. We first meet when he was posted to 17
Port Regt R C T based at Marchwood in 1974.
We became great mates Steve was not a sporty person but pushed him
to play for my second team at Marchwood after two seasons I put him
on a referees course run at the Army P T school at Bulford he passed
the course as top student and it now history what he did for local,
Corps and Army basketball He will be missed by me and my family
- Vince Donohoe:
-
Very sad news. Have lost a well respected colleague and friend.
We will not forget you Steve.
- Cliff Fullbrook:
-
I have just lost a very very close friend and i am deeply saddened with
this tragic loss i have known steve for many many years being in the army
together travelled together represent the Army at basketball together and
many many years in local league. We even played together when we where younger
This is a personal loss to me and my family.
we will remember him
- Nathaniel Dindar:
- Steve I remember the car journeys to quilley and the half time banter
that you brought to the game at Stags and Kestrels, it was brilliant
what you truly did for basketball in this area.. Thank you Steve.
- James Driscoll:
- I am extremely saddened by this tragic loss. SABA hasn't just
lost a referee, but a friend as well. I will never forget what you
have done for me personally or what you have brought to the game.
Thank you Steve.