TWO OF the oldest clubs in Seaview got together to start a new tradition of playing an annual football match to honour a character who supported them throughout his life, was given the backing of Match of the Day television presenter Gary Lineker.

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Seaview Football Club took on Sea View Yacht Club at their Seagrove Park ground in memory of Peter Hunter, who died in September last year.

Peter was an avid fan and player at Seaview FC, as well as being a pivotal character at Sea View Yacht Club for many years.

As a world-class amateur sailor in International 14, Finn and Dragon classes, Peter once sailed with Olympic gold medallist, Stuart Morris, to win the prestigious Prince of Wales Cup, for International 14s.

The two clubs are no strangers to competing in football matches over the course of more than a century, but this recent memorial match has reinvigorated their friendly rivalry in a tight-knit Island community.

Isle of Wight County Press: The two two teams who played in the inaugural Peter Hunter Memorial Football Match — Seaview FC and Sea View Yacht Club.The two two teams who played in the inaugural Peter Hunter Memorial Football Match — Seaview FC and Sea View Yacht Club. (Image: James Crofts)

Isle of Wight County Press: The late Peter Hunter who supported and played for Seaview Football Club and was a top amateur sailor who was a highly-respected member of Sea View Yacht Club.The late Peter Hunter who supported and played for Seaview Football Club and was a top amateur sailor who was a highly-respected member of Sea View Yacht Club. (Image: Sea View Yacht Club)

Thanks to Peter's son, Simon, a director at Chelsea Football Club, he was able to arrange some special video messages, on a big screen, to both sets of players before the game.

They were pleasantly surprised to have come from England legend Gary Lineker and former England and Chelsea skipper, Gary Cahill.

Lineker said: "A big welcome to the biggest match the Isle of Wight has seen for a while — in memory of Peter Hunter, who was a keen footballer and sailor for both.

"Good luck to the captains, Simon Hunter and James Crofts, and refereeing is the commodore, Richard Dobbs, who rarely plays any football and is often seen in his big stink pot.  

"Enjoy the game everyone — and come on you Hunters!"

Cahill, in his message, said wished both clubs good luck and "all the very best."

The match itself ended 9-5 to the Island League Division 2 football club — but it was good-natured atmosphere it created which proved to be more important, said match organiser, James Crofts, who has a foot in both camps, captaining the Seaview FC team and the yacht club's general manager and secretary. 

"The game was excellent and held in good spirits. We wanted to send Peter on his way with a memorial match," said James.

"The whole event was really lovely and the video messages got everyone really excited. It was a lovely sentiment.

"It was good fun and the weather was kind to us. It was a fitting way to mark Peter's passing — and there was a good crowd to watch it.

"With the way it was played in such good spirits, it will be an annual event, absolutely.
"The two clubs have lots of links in Seaview, so they're pretty close already — but this will strengthen it."

  • Seaview Football Club will also be hosting another gave in memory of a local character, the Chris Norman Memorial Cup match, against a Seaview FC Legends XI, at Seagrove Park, 12 noon on Saturday.
  • Seaview FC, who play in Division 2 of the Island League, are actively recruiting at the moment and aim to register a second team in the combination leagues next season. 

For more details, go to the club's Facebook page.