OBITUARY | STEVE WHITNEY

We are sad to report the passing of our dear friend and colleague

The Southern Football League is sad to bring you the news of the passing of Steve Whitney.

A fantastic football man who enjoyed a long and distinguished career within the game, he became the Southern Football League’s Media Officer in July 2020 and over the next three years his knowledge and experience proved to be a tremendous asset to us.

His involvement in the game began in the early 1970s as an apprentice at Swansea City, for whom he went on to play for their youth and reserve teams before being signed by Ron Atkinson for Kettering Town.

A serious knee injury led to his departure in 1974 but he was able to continue his playing career within the United Counties League for several clubs.

He took his first steps into coaching with the Kettering Town Under-18s before going on to serve the likes of Rothwell Town, Desborough Town and Wellingborough Town as well as being the technical director at the newly-formed AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

Steve also managed in the United Counties League with Irchester United and was Chairman at Rushden & Higham United for two and-a-half years as well as being Under-18s manager.

Outside of football, he worked for Wetherby’s in Wellingborough in their racing department until mid-1970s when he joined the Department of Employment before becoming a Training Agent in 1989, helping to re-train adults into new career paths.

He obtained several qualifications during this time, including becoming a qualified counsellor.

He began full-time in football journalism as editor of Team Talk magazine in 1991 and then in 1999 as editor of online website, Non-League Daily, and as a writer for the Non-League Paper, which he helped launch along with David Emery and Tony Williams before joining Pitchero to set up Pitchero Non-League in January 2011.

Steve also worked for The National League for seven years as its Media Manager as well as the Northern Premier League, helping to write their 300-page 50th Anniversary book released in February 2019.

His vast knowledge of the non-League game was also used by BBC Radio 5’s ‘The Non-League Show’ where he had a regular slot.

Steve Whitney has given so much to football, and the non-League game in particular, for over four decades.

The Southern Football League sends its deepest condolences to his family and friends at this extremely sad time. May he rest in peace.