The obituary notice of Allison HEARD

My thoughts are with Allison's family at this sad time. I played football with Allison at Belper Town. We had some great matches under Captain Ally. She was a lovely person to have known.
Shirley.

My Beautiful friend Alli xx

I will never forget our time together at the Valuation Office. Every time the sun shines I think of your lovely smile. Thank you for your friendship I will always treasure it and I am so grateful to have shared a part of your life.

Love and lots of happy memories

Natalie xx

I was really shocked to read the news, my thoughts go out to Allison's family at this difficult time. I first met Alison when playing hockey for Derby Ladies, all those years ago, and then bumped into her again at Littleover Tennis Club, even though we hadn't seen each other for years we chatted as though we had only just spoken the day before. Allison was so friendly, in a quiet unassuming way, always smiling and interested in what you had to say. I know that she will be so missed by everyone that knew her.

Allison, who was single, lived with her mother in Lawnheads Avenue, in Littleover.

Her father Raymond, who ran a petrol filling station in London Road and played for Burton Albion in the 1950s, died 15 months ago after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Mrs Heard said: "Allison and her dad were both season ticket-holders at Derby County and used to love spending their Saturday afternoons watching the Rams.

"She was even listening to the Derby commentary the day she died, while lying in bed in the hospital ward.

"But it was playing sport that Allison loved so much.

"She played football for Belper Women's team for more than 20 years and hockey for Belper Women's team for 12 or so years.

"It was only that she injured her cruciate ligaments three years ago that meant she had to stop."

Mrs Heard said tennis was another passion.

She said: "She played for Littleover from when she was really young and used to represent the office every year at an annual event in Bournemouth.

"She won the women's trophy 10 years running and in the end they gave it to her to keep."

A SPORTS-LOVING Derby woman who won hundreds of trophies for tennis, football and hockey has died aged 45.

Allison Heard died at Royal Derby Hospital of thrombosis after a blood clot in her leg moved to her lungs.

The popular personal assistant, who worked at the Valuation Office in St Peter's Church Yard, Derby, played football for a Belper women's team for more than 20 years. The side she played for has since disbanded.

Her mother Elizabeth, 76, said her daughter also played at Littleover Tennis Club from childhood and developed her love of sports while at Derby High School.

She said: "The only bit of comfort I get is that Allison lived a full life in her 45 years. She enjoyed every day, was never unhappy and had a wonderful smile.

"From being a baby in her cot, she never stopped smiling and never had a miserable face.

"Her death came as a real shock to all the family. We can't get over it at the moment."