Coronation Street stars have paid tribute to Tony Steenson, a renowned figure across the North West, following his death at the age of 79. Tony, who arranged the All Stars charity football matches staged at Anfield, died last week while on holiday in Portugal.
Stars share their memories
Phil Middlemiss, who played Des Barnes in Weatherfield from 1990 to 1998, said: "I met Tony Steenson in 1990 when I first arrived in Manchester, he was everything you’d want in a friend, funny, caring and one hell of a man!"
He added: "He made my transition to life in Manchester a joy. The times we had in Spain, Portugal, Holland and Wolverhampton were legendary, I was given the chance to play in testimonial matches at Anfield, Old Trafford even Wembley."
"A dream for any football loving lad, met plenty of my idols, drank with them sang with them and through Tony made lifelong friends. The Gaffer was the glue, fixing everything, you will be so sadly missed, my hero, and if there is a heaven, he’ll have picked his starting eleven and what a ride they’ll have."
Tributes from fellow actors
Andy Whyment, known for his role as Kirk Sutherland, commented: "Lovely words mate, the Gaffer was a legend."
Alan Halsall also paid tribute on social media, saying: "I love you mate. Some of my favourite memories of 30yrs with you."
Hyde United's statement
Tony's former club, Hyde United, issued a statement saying: "The Hyde United Board are extremely saddened to hear of the recent passing of former Player & Captain, Tony Steenson."
Having joined in 1975, Tony made 276 appearances for the club until leaving at the end of the 1983/84 season and was Supporters’ Player of the Year in 1977/78. The club described him as "a born leader and organiser (you could literally hear his shouts all around the ground!)" and "arguably one of Hyde United’s greatest ever captains", leading the team to the Cheshire League treble in 1981/82 and promotion back to the Northern Premier League.
The statement continued: "Our Club historian, Mike Pavasovic is in the process of producing a more in-depth tribute and the Club intends to pay our respects properly to Tony at a future match, which will be notified to everyone in good time. On behalf of everyone involved at Hyde United, we send our deepest sympathies to Tony’s family and friends."
Mike Sweeney's tribute
BBC DJ Mike Sweeney also paid tribute, saying: "I met Tony Steenson in 1983 when I played in his testimonial match at Hyde United, he then took over as manager of The Piccadilly Attackers and made us one of the most successful charity football clubs in the country."
He added: "That team eventually became the Jet 2 TV Allstars. Tony spent over four decades arranging charity football matches and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity. He was an absolutely unique individual and I was proud to have him as a teammate and one of my oldest friends. I’ll miss you so much Tony."
