Heartfelt tributes have been paid this week by former clubs of footballer Charlie Strutton who has sadly died aged 34.
Ninth tier side Chalfont St Peter, of whom he last played for, confirmed the news in a statement on Wednesday night.
They said: “Charlie began his career in the junior levels at Chalfont and progressed to the senior team in 2006.
“Regularly the top scorer, his goal scoring prowess became a reliable and central part of Saints’ successful run to the FA Vase semi-final in 2009 and the Spartan League title in 2011.
“It also drew the attention of professional clubs and he was snapped up by AFC Wimbledon in 2012.
“Injury slowed his progress and he returned to Saints for a short spell, playing his last game in the red and green in November 2016.
“Supported by his enthusiastic family, Strutts was loved and admired in equal measure by all those who knew him. His passing leaves an enormous hole in the Chalfont heart.”
Chairman Denis Mair, who watched and encouraged his progress all the way from the Under-12 team, said, “Words cannot express the unbearable sadness I feel following the news of Charlie’s passing.
“Without question a light has gone out at Chalfont St Peter and for everyone that knew Charlie.
“He will be remembered in the most loving and cherished ways that all good souls who enter our lives, however briefly, are remembered.
“Our love and condolences from absolutely everyone at Chalfont St Peter go to his family in the knowledge that we’ve all been touched by a rare gift that in time will give us all the strength to carry on.
“Charlie, my few words don’t go anywhere near doing you the justice that you so deserve but it comes purely from my heart to you.”
AFC Wimbledon tweeted: “Everyone at AFC Wimbledon is deeply saddened to read of the passing of our former player Charlie Strutton.
“Our sincerest condolences go to Charlieβs family and friends at this extremely difficult time. We are so sorry for your loss. RIP Charlie. ποΈ”
@braintreetownfc tweeted: “From everyone at Braintree Town, we’re devastated to hear the passing of one of our former players Charlie Strutton. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time. RIP”
π£οΈ | Club Statement π
The club has been rocked by the sad news that former fan favourite, Charlie Strutton, has sadly passed at the young age of 34. pic.twitter.com/AnFOz7c71B
β Chalfont St Peter (@csp_afc) February 21, 2024
βLeague 2 Wayne Rooneyβ https://t.co/J7fTvvMUya pic.twitter.com/Wi9svQW8VX
β Alex (@alexwoody348) February 21, 2024
STRUTTON’S CAREER:
Youth career
2000β2006 – Chalfont St Peter
Senior career
2006β2012 – Chalfont St Peter (81)
2012β2014 – AFC Wimbledon
2012 β Maidenhead United (loan)
2013 β Braintree Town (loan)
2013 β Aldershot Town (loan)
2014β2016 – Braintree Town
2015 β Maidenhead United (loan)
2015 β Hayes & Yeading United (loan)
2015 β Slough Town (loan)
2016β2017 – Maidenhead United
2016 β Chalfont St Peter (loan)
More tributes paid by staff, old teammates, fans and the former clubs of footballer Charlie Strutton who has died aged 34…
@jmullz10: So sad to hear this. A really nice guy and great team mate π Injury prevented him from progressing as he could have but he will always be remembered fondly π RIP Charlie
@MeadowAFCW: My sincere condolences to his family. He was just a few months older than my eldest offspring. Charlie didn’t really get the chances with AFC Wimbledon but I’ll always remember the York destroyer. Rest in peace Charlie.
@TP158: my thoughts are with the family at this sad time, worked with struts for a short time at slough and he was a good person. shocking news rest easy my friend.
@Jonah8990: Really sad news 34 is no age. Was always a real handful whenever our passed crossed over the years playing against each other. RIP
@DannyEdwards_79: Very difficult to put into words how many lives Charlie touched. He was an incredibly talented young man and someone who would put others before himself. Seeing him progress into the pro game was such a proud moment for all. My thoughts to go to all of his family. RIP Chaz.
@alexafcw9696: Gutted to hear this, he was a proper Wimbledon player, who gave everything, RIP Charlie π ποΈ
@MikeT_RadioWDON: Desperately sad news. Still so young. Memories of the two York City FA Cup ties in 2012/13 still fresh. RIEP Charlie ππ»ππβ½οΈπ’
@Harrygrant123: RIP Strutts
@BillyPR17: π’ RIP Strutts. So sad. Absolute gent! A real top guy and absolute pleasure to share the pitch with you. Thoughts go out to the family! You will be missed β€οΈπ
@markeaton1967: This is such sad news I knew Charlie well one of the best strikers Iβd ever seen at that level and beyond was destined for great thingsβ₯οΈπ
@thornett_kevin: So sad – great person – taken too young
@zoe80967506: Forever a Womble. RIP Charlie ππ
@ChrisThorpe_: Very tough news to read, RIP Charlie.
@sidneyb: So sorry to hear this news. Charlie was a little dynamo in his short time with us and I remember him well. RIP ππ
@lesgreen66: 34 is no age! RIP π₯ FOOTBALL IS FAMILY #dcfc
@Caseyy171: Rest In Peace To My Former Team Mate Strutts! A Wonderful Bloke Who Was A Born Finisher, A Man With A Unique Smile! Thoughts Go Out To The Family And Those He Impacted ποΈβ€οΈ Cherish Every Moment, You Never Know When Itβs Your Last π
@Richardstags: RIP Charlie ππ
@Charlieleahyy: Awful news. Prayers out to all of his family and friends. RIP Charlieππππ
@TomLargeReports: Awful news. Thoughts with his family and friends ποΈ
Speechless. To even contemplate the passing of someone so young, let alone a teammate & a genuine, hardworking person at that! Absolutely gutted. Thoughts are with all his family & friends.
β Seb Brown (@sebbrown1) February 21, 2024
Rip Charlie. Will never forget that game against York City cracking goals in a cracking game. Sending thoughts, strength & hugs to all that were blessed to know you on or off the pitch ππ
β Haydon the Womble (@HaydontheWomble) February 22, 2024
So sad to hear this news.
Remembering the good times https://t.co/SfObmbugFtβ Neil Taylor (@Taylnat) February 22, 2024
Got the news late last night of the passing of a former @AFCWimbledon player Charlie Strutton really sad news and at such a young age π Godbless π΅π‘
β Simon Bassey (@simonbass10) February 22, 2024
Just seen that Charlie Strutton has died. Saw him a lot for @csp_afc way back in the day. Virtually all my photos from that time are gone but still have this one. pic.twitter.com/3TxjoMSDXB
β Jon Smalldon (@jonsmalldon) February 22, 2024
Shocked to hear of Charlie Strutton’s passing.
Charlie gave 100% whenever he played. My abiding memory is his sub appearance against champions to be Gillingham that gave us a vital point in what had looked like an easy win for the Gills.
Condolences to allhttps://t.co/votWjLfU2s https://t.co/jOglr5YjSkβ WUP (@wupfanzine) February 22, 2024
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