FOOTBALLING matters were put into the shade at Waltham Abbey by the shock death of assistant youth team boss Billy Lawton last weekend.

Mr Lawton, 59, died suddenly of a heart attack at home on Saturday.

“Everyone at the club is in shock about it. There were no symptoms beforehand,” boss Paul Wickenden told Guardian Series Sport.

“Our hearts go out to his family at this time. We will all be wearing black armbands this weekend.

“I was talking to him just last week and what’s happened certainly puts football in perspective,” he continued.

A collection for his surviving wife and two children will take place at Capershotts this weekend when Abbotts host Great Wakering Rovers.

Last weekend, legendary West Ham United defender Julian Dicks masterminded Grays Athletic’s defeat of Abbey.

Hammers fan Wickenden insisted the 1-0 result was harsh on Abbey, who are toiling for a top-10 finish in Ryman One North.

“It was a typical mid-table match and neither side really did enough to deserve the win,” said Wickenden.

New signing Andrew Humphrey-Modeste nearly had a debut to remember, but his header rattled the woodwork.

“He has lots of experience and lots of pace,” said Wickenden.

“I think we needed another option up front and for Emmanuel Osei to have a bit of extra pressure on him.”

Modeste joins from promotion-chasing Harlow Town, where Osei has also played.

Wickenden insisted Abbey will not mimic Stoke City by utilising the long-throw talents of one new team member, like Tony Pulis does in the Premier League.

“We would not like to be a Stoke-like side. We play too much football, anyway,” he quipped.

On Tuesday night, Abbey overcame Romford 3-2 in a thrilling encounter.

Elsewhere in Ryman One North, Waltham Forest responded to their relegation threat with two wins on the bounce last week.

Boss Wali Ojalabi watched his side thump Ware 4-1 last Saturday to string together rare back-to-back victories, following their 2-1 win over Redbridge.

The team’s survival bid was hit by a 4-0 defeat at high-flying Needham Market in midweek.

Forest have also recruited the brother of Queen’s Park Rangers defender Danny Shittu, Richard Shittu’s non-league experience should add steel to the Stags during this crucial spell.

Former Boreham Wood man Marvin Samuel has joined in a combined player-coach role with Ojalabi.

This weekend, the Stags travel to AFC Sudbury.