Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries obituary: Son is so proud of his 'idol and hero'
LEE Naylor has paid a moving tribute to his father Tommy Naylor, the former AFC Bournemouth defender who died suddenly earlier this month, aged 64.[LNB] Tommy was the first apprentice to graduate to the professional ranks at Dean Court when he was signed by Reg Flewin in October 1963. He helped Cherries take Liverpool to an FA Cup replay in 1968 and made 159 appearances for the club before moving to Hereford United in August 1972.[LNB] During his long association with Cherries, Tommy helped them finish fourth in Division Three in 1969 and also played his part as the club gained its first promotion under John Bond in 1971.[LNB] A versatile defender, Tommy made 73 league appearances for Hereford and was an influential figure in their Division Four promotion campaign in 1972-73.[LNB] He also carved his name in the Bulls' FA Cup history when he scored a penalty to help them eliminate top flight West Ham in a third round replay in 1974.[LNB] More than 200 mourners attended his funeral at Bournemouth Crematorium and afterwards at Dean Court, including his former Cherries team-mates Ken Pound, Roger Jones, Keith Miller, John O'Rourke, Denis Bushby, Roy Gater and Clive Tyrrell.[LNB] Ex-Hereford manager Colin Addison and former Bulls physio Peter Isaacs also paid their last respects, as did Southampton's 1976 FA Cup winner David Peach, a long-standing golfing partner of Tommy's at Burley Golf Club.[LNB] In a tribute, son Lee said: I often used to reflect and wonder if dad ever really knew how proud I was of his footballing achievements and how much I so wanted to follow in his footsteps. Many times we would reminisce about his playing career, with him telling me about all the grounds he played on and the goals he scored always 25-yard screamers, apparently![LNB] We were also keen rivals on the golf course and I will never forget him jigging around on greens muttering miss it, miss it as I stood over putts to win on the 18th. This happened on a number of occasions but I always got my own back and snitched to mum who would let him know in no uncertain terms what she thought of his antics![LNB] Dad was extremely popular at Burley Golf Club and proud to have been captain at one point. I loved playing golf with him and the quality time we shared on various courses. We will all miss him immensely. He was my idol and my hero.[LNB] Former Cherries director Andrew Kaye, who used to watch Tommy at Dean Court, was also among the mourners. He said: Tommy was one of the best from AFC Bournemouth's past. He wasn't big in stature but he certainly was in guts and determination.[LNB] Very little got past Tommy and I loved watching him play. I had the pleasure of getting to know him after he had retired and he was a true gentleman. My best wishes to his wife Dolly and his family. AFC Bournemouth has lost one of their unsung heroes.[LNB]
