ONE of Suffolk's most dedicated football stalwarts today said he has no intention of severing his links with Ridgeons League Woodbridge Town.Keith Dixon has stood down as chairman after 39 years in the post, handing over at the last annual general meeting to John Beecroft.

Elvin King

ONE of Suffolk's most dedicated football stalwarts today said he has no intention of severing his links with Ridgeons League Woodbridge Town.

Keith Dixon has stood down as chairman after 39 years in the post, handing over at the last annual general meeting to John Beecroft.

He is staying on as treasurer and plans to continue to be part and parcel of life at Notcutt's Park.

“I will still be going up to the ground most days of the week and plan to watch home matches,” said Keith. “I will still be around and playing a part. But I am now 80 years old and at this stage it was time to hand over the chairman's position.

“John was vice chairman last season, and the intention was for him to take over this summer. It was a case of finding the right man, and I am sure we have.

“I am there if he needs me, but I will certainly not interfere.”

A centre half in the 'Thou shall not pass' mould, Keith has seen many changes since he made his Woodbridge debut as a 19-year-old.

The club has moved on through a number of grounds to their current esteemed stadium at Notcutt's Park. And during his time as chairman, Woodbridge moved from the Second Division of the Metaltec SIL to the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League.

“We've been at Notcutt's now for 18 years, and I can look back with pride at the way Woodbridge have advanced,” added Keith.

“We had to work extremely hard to see the stadium move go through and raise over £70,000. It was a great achievement.”

Keith designed the clubhouse and organised the building work, and he received this fitting tribute from John Bennett, who is a Woodbridge Town vice president and been connected with the club for 40 years as secretary, vice chairman and committee man.

“Woodbridge Town owes Keith a big debt,” said John. “They would certainly not be where they are today without him.

“He was responsible for the move to Notcutt's Park, and was in overall charge of the building.

“A lot of us were involved with ten years of fundraising to find the money required, but Keith was the driving force.”

With only being six years left on the lease at Notcutt's Park, there are no plans to follow the example of Needham Market who named their ground after their club stalwart Derrick Bloomfield.

Only very few have achieved what Keith has in Suffolk football circles, and he deserves great credit,

But typical of the man he is quick to deflect any praise adding: “I couldn't have done what I have without my wife Beryl, who I have been married to for 38 years.

“You have got to have a right hand, and Beryl has been involved with hospitality and catering.”

Keith Dixon Woodbridge Town factfile

Player - 1947 to 1973 (26 years).

Secretary - 1953 to 1967, 1969, 1973 to 1974 (17 years).

Chairman - 1967 to 1979, 1981 to 2008 (39 years).

President - 1979 to 1981 (2 years).

Treasurer - 1990 to 2008 (17 years and continuing).

In addition he was given the SIL meritorious service award (1984), FA long service award (1997), Suffolk FA workforce award (2005), Suffolk Coastal District Council life award (2008).