Torquay United AFC is saddened to learn of the passing of former club kitman Adam Curtis.
A vibrant and hardworking member of United’s staff under the management of Paul Buckle, he took great pride in ensuring the Torquay players looked their best during the 2010/11 season, as The Gulls made it to the League Two Play-Off final, before going fulfil a similar role at Rotherham United.
United stalwart Ken Veysey, who worked with Adam during his time at Plainmoor, paid tribute to his former colleague.
“He was just a genuinely lovely fella,” said Ken.
“Obviously I am gutted, because he loved the club – basically everywhere he worked – he loved. He just loved football, loved being around the lads and he was just a real genuine nice fella. For us he was amazing. He travelled the length and breadth of the country just to help out, and he helped me out tremendously.
“We were doing really well, and I was juggling the kit with the ‘keepers and stuff. He was a close friend of ‘Bucks’, who got him in, and he generally helped out massively. He would come and pick the kit up if we had a real quick turnaround of games and collect that, and that would mean I could spend more time on the training ground with the ‘keepers. At the time, it was just a shame we didn’t have the budget to take him on permanently. That would have been his ideal situation.”
Adam Curtis is pictured (left) with players Lee Mansell, Kevin Nicholson and Guy Branston reacting to the FA Cup 4th Round draw in January 2011.
Veysey also gave an insight to some of the unique things Curtis did behind the scenes, which made him such a popular member of the backroom team during his time with the Club.
“He was always out of pocket, bless him. He used to buy all the Jelly Babies and Wine Gums for the lads, and when they would come in before the game, they would all have Wine Gums and Jelly Babies next to their pegs with drinks and stuff, and that was all what he had done out of his own pocket.
“He lived for it, he was selfless. He was one of those fellas that was too kind, and in football, that’s hard to find. He just wanted an opportunity and prove he could do it.
“He was travelling all the way from up north to come down for home games, but he genuinely just loved it. The miles he must have done – he must have done more miles than a space shuttle for us, he was just unbelievable. He would get to evening games before me, and I only lived five minutes round the corner! He would just go the extra mile, all little bits that made a massive difference.
“I can’t praise him, or thank him enough.”
The thoughts and condolences of everyone at Torquay United go out to all of Adam’s family and friends at this very sad time.
Rest In Peace, Adam.