Vale Tom Sands

Our Club Patron and esteemed Life Member Tom Sands sadly passed away recently.

Tom was the Churchill United Soccer Club. He was there when we formed in 1969, a constant since then and he will always be in our hearts into the future.

A strong presence in his playing days, but it was as a junior coach to generations of Churchill kids where Tom found his passion. Tom coached countless kids to championships and cups throughout the years, reward for his patience teaching kids the basics over five decades. This grassroots dedication was an example for many and a lasting legacy to our club.

If you were coached by Tom you probably remember being told “don’t sit on the ball, it’s not an egg” or some other quip. When we review the on - field success of our club, Tom made the single greatest contribution to it through his nurturing of generations of talent that resulted in our golden period of dominance 2005-2014, and he helped lay the foundation for our bottom up rebuild currently in motion.

Tom’s influence extended beyond our club with his years as a Latrobe Valley junior squad coach, a great contribution to the sport, influencing many players from other clubs.

Tom was loved and respected across the league, always up for a chat with many soccer friends.

Tom was also a dedicated committee man with the interests of our junior charges always at the forefront of his motivations. Tom is our longest serving Secretary with a cumulative ten years service, and also our longest serving Treasurer with a combined eight years service.

The club recognised the immense contribution Tom has made when he and fellow stalwart Forte Bianconi were honoured as Club Patrons in 2019.

Our heartfelt condolences go to Tom's siblings Carol, Rob, Ian, Scott and Stuart along with the extended Sands and Robson families.

Rest in peace Tom.