Shoreham Football Club have announced the death of co-chairman and co-owner Malcolm Saunders, a long-standing figure in Sussex non-league football.
The Musselmen announced the news in a statement, saying Malcolm had been an integral part of the club for the past four years and describing him as a friend and supporter who cared deeply about its people and future.
Malcolm had a long association with football in the county before taking on his senior role at Shoreham, including involvement with neighbouring Lancing FC.
A long involvement in Sussex football
Malcolm’s contribution to the local game extended well beyond his time in the boardroom at Middle Road.
Lancing FC’s official history records him as part of the club’s first-team set-up during the 2010s. He worked alongside manager John Sharman, with the club recording that Malcolm remained as his assistant during the 2016-17 season before continuing as part of the management team.
He later became closely involved with Shoreham FC at an important period in the club’s history.
Shoreham’s official club history says Malcolm joined Stuart Slaney as joint owner following the deaths of former co-owner Ralph Prodger and his wife Cheryl in 2021.
Companies House records show Malcolm was formally appointed as a director of Shoreham FC 2013 Limited on April 28, 2022. He went on to serve as co-chairman and co-owner alongside Stuart Slaney.
Helping Shoreham back to the Premier Division
His period at Shoreham included one of the club’s more significant recent successes.
After narrowly missing promotion through the play-offs in 2021-22, Shoreham won the Southern Combination League Division One title in 2022-23 and returned to the Premier Division.
The club’s own history credits Malcolm with helping Shoreham achieve that promotion.
More recently, official club material continued to list Stuart Slaney and Malcolm together as the club’s chairmen and owners, underlining the central role Malcolm retained at Middle Road.
Shoreham FC pay tribute to Malcolm Saunders
Announcing his death, Shoreham said Malcolm’s influence, commitment and passion had been felt throughout the football club.
The club said he had played a hugely influential role in shaping Shoreham and had been far more than a co-owner and co-chairman.
It also paid tribute to his standing across Sussex football, saying the relationships he had built during many years in the local game would be remembered by many people.
Shoreham said Malcolm’s presence, guidance, humour and passion would leave a lasting void, adding that his contribution to the club would not be forgotten.
The club’s thoughts and condolences are with Malcolm’s family, friends and everyone who knew him.
Shoreham FC concluded its tribute simply: “Thank you for everything, Malcolm. Rest in peace.”
Tributes from across Sussex football
News of Malcolm’s death prompted tributes from clubs, former players, coaches and supporters across the Sussex football community.
Mile Oak Football Club described him as “such a big personality around the local football scene and a lovely bloke too”, while Loxwood FC said Malcolm had been at their match only days earlier, where members of the club had been chatting with him about football.
Former player and coach Mark Stuart remembered both Malcolm’s humour and a quieter side which people outside football might not always have seen.
He said he had played under Malcolm and later coached alongside him, recalling some of “the best one liners” he had heard. But he added that conversations would often move away from football and towards how they and their families were doing.
“He had such a nice side to him and just loved his football, loved his family,” he wrote.
Other tributes repeatedly described Malcolm as a major character in the local game. Shaun Berrett, who said he played under him at Steyning, remembered him as “funny and popular with everyone who knew him”, while former colleagues and supporters spoke of his humour, banter and longstanding contribution to grassroots football.
Martin Gander said Malcolm would be missed and added that the sentiment was shared by people at Lancing FC, writing: “Football family together.”
Gemma Manvell also recalled Malcolm as a welcoming presence at Shoreham, saying his passion for the club was always clear and describing him as a familiar face greeting people as they came through the gates.
You May Also Be Interested In
