EFL: Croydon Football Club reflects on 40th anniversary of player Peter Liddy’s tragic on-field passing
IT WAS a devastating moment Croydon Football Club will never forget — on a dashing run from deep in defence, 19-year-old Peter Liddy handballed to a teammate, and collapsed.
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HIS name is among the first things you see as you walk into the Croydon Football Club.
It’s a permanent reminder of his life, contribution to the club and the heartbreaking day long ago in 1978 that still resonates with all those that were at the game.
May 6 marked the 40th anniversary of the tragic passing of Croydon footballer Peter Liddy, who died on the ground at the age of 19 in the final moments of the Blues’ reserves clash against Blackburn.
Croydon’s honourboard is named after Liddy, his only photo placed atop the roll call of names.
Felix Fraraccio and Roger O’Brien, captain and coach from that day, were invited to speak to the players on the Thursday night before the Round 5 fixture against Doncaster East, highlighting the importance community clubs can provide in times of need.
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Liddy’s mother Elva, who was on the sidelines that day and still attends home games, tossed the coin prior to the clash against the Lions.
O’Brien said Liddy’s passing was like losing a family member.
“I think of it nearly every home game we play at Croydon, it just hits me,” O’Brien said.
“There’s a big new scoreboard on the bottom side and that’s roughly where Peter died.
“As soon as I see that scoreboard it immediately comes to my mind the day he passed away.”
Tragedy strikes after handball
Croydon past players president Simon Fielding was a year below Liddy at Croydon High School, recalling a footballer “who just loved the game”.
“To have something like that in your own club, it was pretty shocking and set the team back,” Fielding said.
“It takes the wind out of your sails and footy becomes nowhere near the priority ... it’s just a game in the end.
“People take a little bit of a sit back and think about your health and how vulnerable you really are.”
Liddy grew up just off Croydon Rd, attended Croydon High School and played in the Blues’ 1975 under-17 premiership before establishing himself as a hard-at-it full back.
He had just taken off on a dashing run from deep in defence to the centre of the Hewish Rd Oval as Croydon looked to kick a goal to pinch a win.
After handballing to a teammate, Liddy collapsed.
Trainers and a doctor worked to revive him while waiting for an ambulance but their attempts were unsuccessful, he passed away from a heart attack.
Players and committee members formed a guard of honour at the funeral, the 1975 under-17 premiership flag was draped over his coffin and his No.43 jumper retired.
The ball from that game was also presented to the Liddy family.
“The club handled it very well”
O’Brien said most of the reserves side that day was filled with Liddy’s under-17 premiership teammates.
“The club was very good, you didn’t have counsellors in those days so you had to handle everything yourself but the club was very good, handled it very well,” he said.
“Everyone rallied around ... I’d say it did affect the club for a long time and people, like Felix and myself, it still affects us and I think a lot of those young ones at the time, I think they would still feel it.”
Fraraccio said while the impact of Liddy’s passing still lasted, the support of the club had helped players and supporters grieve.
“Naturally, it is the end of the game, you’ve just been beaten by a point or two, it was a fairly close game, we were expecting a doctor would come and everything would be hunky dory, Pete would get up, we’ll have a beer later on and away it goes,” Fraraccio said.
“But that never happened.”
Elva, now 90, continues to provide unwavering support to the club.
There’s a place reserved for her on the balcony at the club where she watches every home game.
“I’ve been an administrator at footy clubs for 50 years, they’re somewhere to talk, somewhere to buy a hot dog, somewhere to speak, somewhere to cry, somewhere to laugh with,” Fraraccio said.
“It’s not about just playing footy, we provide a home away from home for a lot of people.”
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