Barber pays tribute to Matt Major

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Chair of the Sussex FA died earlier this week.

BHAFC

2023-04-19T10:25:00Z

Matt Major took over as chair of the Sussex FA in 2014.

Paul Barber has led the club’s tribute to Mathew Major, chairman of the Sussex FA, who passed away at the age of 65 earlier this week.

Matt had battled courageously against oesophageal cancer over the past year, and passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family.

Matt first became involved in football when he became a sponsor of Oxford United in the late 1980s, who were then in the old First Division.

After moving to Brighton 30 years ago, his first footballing role in Sussex came in 1992 when he began sponsoring Shoreham, the club he would eventually own in 2007.

Spells as a director of Worthing between 1995 and 2001, as well as vice-chairman of Southwick between 2002 and 2003 followed in the intervening years. During his time at Worthing he met former Albion chair Dick Knight, leading to Albion staging reserve team games at Woodside Road whilst Albion were playing at Gillingham.

Matt Major served Sussex football in various roles for 30 years.

A regular visitor to the Amex, Matt join the Sussex County FA in 2009 and was elected chair in 2014.

Matt’s staunch support of the Sussex Disability Football League helped it grow and it was his work in overseeing the construction of the 3G pitch at Sussex FA headquarters in Culver Road, Lancing that will be his lasting legacy.

Barber said, “We were all very saddened to hear of Matt’s passing. Matt was a regular visitor to the Amex over the years and we always enjoyed his company. Matt was very passionate about football in Sussex, and he will be a big loss to the game in our county. We extend our sincere sympathies to Matt’s family and friends, and to everyone at Sussex FA.”

Sussex FA CEO Ken Benham said, “Matt’s passion for Sussex football was undeniable, mix that in with his professional business acumen, it made him the perfect chairman for our organisation.

“Although he was more than a chairman to many volunteers, coaches, players, referees and so on across the game, he was also their friend. I know his passing will be felt across the Sussex football family, and beyond that nationally at the FA, but none more so than here at the Sussex County FA, an organisation he served so diligently and professionally.”