THE annual meeting of Wellington AFC marked the end of an era as the club’s longest-serving officer retired.

Colin Waller, Youth Secretary and Welfare Officer, has been involved in the club for more than 60 years.

It was in the early 1960s that Colin and some friends attended a meeting of the local youth league and were accepted to form a team which then became part of Wellington AFC.

Colin was joined in that youth side by the likes of Andy Buttle, Barry Knott and John Mullen, before moving into senior football and making his first team debut in goal for Wellington, under the then manager Jeff Brown, in the mid-60s. A talented and aguile goalkeeper, he played regularly until he was about 45 and joined the club’s management committee, taking on various roles before the position of Youth Secretary was created. He also took on the role of Welfare Officer.

In 2023, Colin received a special ward from Somerset FA to mark his services to football.

At Wellington’s annual meeting, chairman Mike Hall paid tribute to his efforts, saying: “Colin has been a pivotal figure in making our club what it is today.

“Many hundreds of young players, who have progressed through our youth ranks, owe him a debt of thanks.

“He has been a credit to this club and to local football and we wish him every happiness in his well-deserved retirement.”

Colin said: “Football has been my life for many years and it has been a pleasure to see players move through the age groups and into the senior teams.

“I am sure it has also helped a few from falling by the wayside.

“It has been very rewarding, especially walking through the streets of Wellington when young men and women see you and say: ‘Hello, Colin’.”