Ipswich Town FC and Bury Town FC thanked for their support of popular figure Martin Swallow
The widow of a popular figure at Bury Town FC has thanked the football community for its support following the death of her husband.
Martin Swallow, of Lark Grange, in Bury, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October 2020, but this did not stop him being heavily involved in the sport he loved.
The 53-year-old, who died on October 28, had supported Ipswich Town – The Tractor Boys – since 1981, becoming supporters’ club chairman this year following five years as vice-chairman.
At Bury Town’s Ram Meadow, he held various volunteer roles such as driving the team coach, but was best known for being the club’s PA announcer.
His widow, Teresa, who met Martin at a Portman Road match in 2006 and married him in 2019, said: “Football was his life, right from being a young boy he absolutely loved it. He played football for the Army all over the world as well – which was quite a big thing for him.
“He followed Ipswich whilst serving and came back for games whenever he could. Later, as an airside supervisor at Stansted Airport, he would have Saturdays off for the football.”
After moving to Bury, Martin got involved in Bury Town FC, helping out as much as he could.
In 2021, the annual pre-season fixture between the two sides was renamed the Martin Swallow Challenge Trophy in his honour.
Teresa said Martin’s highlight this year was seeing his three-year-old granddaughter Skylar lead out Bury Town for that match wearing the club’s colours.
After Martin was diagnosed, he decided he wanted to visit all 92 grounds in the football league and the pair finished this challenge at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium in May this year, when he received a personal card from manager Pep Guardiola and a signed shirt from the team.
Teresa said: “I would just like to say thank you to everyone; the messages I have had mean so much. Martin truly loved football and saw it as his family – he would talk to anyone about it with such knowledge, enthusiasm and positivity.
“I also want to say a big thank you to both clubs, they were amazing to Martin, especially when he was ill. We could not have gone to games without their help and they both made sure that nothing was too much trouble.”
Another tribute to Martin, came from SuffolkNews sports editor Russell Claydon.
Having known him for more than a decade through his involvement with Bury Town FC and Ipswich Town Supporters Club as well as playing in the winning team with him at Portman Road for the Portman Cup, a paid-for supporters game, eight years ago he said Martin's presence around both clubs would be hugely missed.
He added: "Martin was a larger than life character who had an infectious personality.
"He was always a welcoming face at Bury Town who enjoyed a laugh and a joke while also going out of his way to help people out.
"He loved talking about both Bury Town and Ipswich Town and was a great servant to both clubs."
Martin's funeral will take place on November 24, at 12pm, at the Abbey Chapel of West Suffolk Crematorium.
The wishes are for no black, but for blue and white as well as football shirts to be worn.
No flowers either, but donations can be given for sensory packs to help people watch football at Ipswich Town FC.
