R.I.P. Morty Hollis

[Keithsson]

Club Statement - Link

[pauld]

Not only a friend at football but also a family friend.

He saw his first Worthing match almost 80 years ago, he chaired the supporters' club and the football club, he was Worthing FC through and through, latterly being its president.
In the late 1960s he stepped in to save the club when it looked like we could fold or, worse still in his eyes, return to the County League. He organised putting up the floodlights so that we could join the Isthmian League and a few years later appointed Barry Lloyd as our first full-time manager, with the ambition (which was achieved) of getting us in the Isthmian League Premier by our centenary year.
Morty was chairman of the company that owns the ground and, some years back, spent a lot of time and effort exploring the possibility of finding us a new ground, not because he was dissatisfied with Woodside Road but because he didn't see why there should be any restrictions to our growth and genuinely believed that we should have a new home up to Football League standard.
League and FA officials viewed him as a formidable opponent when it came to defending the club he loved, which he had to do at many a disciplinary hearing. One notable success was getting our flight ban overturned following the Guernsey incident.

One of Morty's favourite sayings was that football is a family and, as I'll expect you'll see in the coming days, there are many officials of clubs (and leagues) in the south of England that considered him a friend, not forgetting the many players and managers he worked with over the years. Until recently he attended every match, home and away, and if he did miss a match it would not be long before someone asked after him.
When I was secretary of the club, one of the first bits of advice Morty gave me was, when you enter another club's boardroom, make yourself known. People may scorn the "blazers", but creating links between clubs is vital for keeping them going; for instance, that's why, in those times when our ground has been closed, Bognor, despite being fierce rivals on the pitch, have always willingly offered their ground for our home matches.

Goodbye Morty, rest in peace.

[tonyh]

I fully echo pauld in the above statement with regards to Morty. Way back in 1973 when I got married and moved to Worthing, Morty oversaw my transfer from Redhill to Worthing and I quickly learnt what a fantastic Chairman and person Morty was. He put so much work and effort into the club that many people just didn't see. Even now, 50 years later, the last time I saw Morty his first question to me was "how is your lovely wife". He always remembered her name and the many conversations they had over the years.
Rest in Peace my friend...

[davidfeest23]

Rip Morty.
It was with great sadness that Vicky and myself heard this news.
We have so many great memories from our time at the club.
I first met Morty through my dad some 50 years ago and nobody ever had more dedication to Worthing. Without Morty Hollis there woukd be no Worthing FC as the club would have folded many years ago many times without him. The one way the club can remember him would be to name the main stand in his honour. God bless you Morty.

[Richard the Rebel]

Well, what can i say apart from Farewell Mr Worthing Football Club, Morty, i like many others will miss you, in an official capacity at the club and also as a friend.

When i used to do the club tannoy and in my days as a reporter/interviewer, Morty was extremely helpful in all aspects and under his watch, the football club, made good progression and with the last few years with George as owner, Worthing FC has reached the highest ever level it has been.

Naming the main stand after Morty, would be a great idea, as Dave Feest has already suggested.

I would like to pass on my condolences to all who knew Morty, and there were many many people.

Rest in Peace, my friend xx

[Keithsson]

[Keithsson]

[Keithsson]

Funeral details as released by Morty's family via the club...

Club Site - Link