Down, Pete – Local lad played in Wembley final

Peter Down (1948-2018)

BOTTESFORD-born, Pete moved  to Grantham with his family at the age of five to Heathfield Road on  Beeden Park estate (flat tops).

After two years at Bottesford Primary School he moved first to Earlesfield Primary then Springfield Secondary School becoming one of the first intake at the newly-built St Hugh’s in about 1960/61

He played local football with Ropsley, Harrowby United, Grantham Amateurs, Grantham St Johns, Caythorpe and one of his final games at the age of 48 was for Grantham Reserves.

He also played Sunday football with Somerby United (one of the best Sunday sides in his opinion), Harrowby Villa, Gonerby Excelsiors, Sleaford Legionnaires and Greyhounders.

Pete began his Grantham career in the October 1970 in the Midland League at Arnold, but made only another four appearances by the end of that season

Grantham’s first two seasons in the Southern League saw Pete called upon as and when needed, but the 1975/76 season saw him playing for Stamford Town, culminating in a Wembley appearance in the FA Vase Final.

He returned once more to London Road towards the end of the 1977/78 season and played in the two legs of the Southern League Cup Semi-Final against Gravesend & Northfleet, with his final appearance for Grantham in the April 1978 league game at Worcester City.

Pete continued to play in local football and then as a manager took Melton Town to a league title, before returning to Harrowby United.

He later assisted The Gingerbreads by running the Social Club, around the same time as his sons, Simon and Chris Down, played for the club.

He moved to Barnsley where he was landlord at three pubs before  finishing at Tesco then retiring due to ill health in 2012.

He died six years later.

Compiled with help from Jon Barnes and Chris Down.