JD Cymru South side Afan Lido are mourning the loss of one of their greatest ever players following the sad news over the weekend that former striker Mitch Patton has passed away at the age of 59.
Patton holds a place in JD Cymru Premier history as his strike for Afan Lido in the 2-1 win over Connah’s Quay Nomads on 15 August 1992, the opening weekend of the first then-named League of Wales season, is credited as the first-ever goal scored in the domestic top-flight. Patton would go on to score 18 goals in that inaugural campaign.
“Afan Lido Football Club is devastated to hear of the sudden and untimely passing of one of our greatest servants,” said a club statement released on Sunday. “Mitch was a club legend, the scorer of the very first League of Wales goal and one of the finest footballers to have graced the Lido field. He was a huge part of our golden generation achieving many honours wearing his iconic number 7 shirt.”
Patton won the League of Wales Cup with Afan Lido in 1993 and 1994, while his goals played a key role in the side finishing as league runners-up in 1994/95 and qualifying for the UEFA Cup. One of the most-popular figures at the club, Patton spent almost all of his long playing career in the colours of Afan Lido and remained a supporter of the club after finally hanging-up his boots.
“He epitomised what our club was about and was a major part of our family,” the club statement continued. “His talent left an indelible mark on our club’s journey, but he was also a Lido fan and a friend to everyone a the club. His quick wit and sense of humour was evident to anyone who met him and his passing will leave a massive hole in the club.”
