Mike Jessett was born in Tottenham, London in 1938.  Mike’s place of birth was obviously a major factor in his loyal support of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, a tradition upheld by past, present and future generations of the Jessett family!

Mike was a keen sportsman in his youth, playing football throughout school, but had more sporting success in the ring as an amateur boxer, and later in life developed a passion for golf.

After serving in the British Army for a number of years, he immigrated to New Zealand in the late 60s and soon became associated with the local soccer scene.

His involvement with Island Bay AFC started in the early eighties with both his sons playing in the nursery grade.

Mike went on from there to become a committee member at the club, looking after the junior setup.  One of his claims to fame was that he was involved when current All White Chris Killen joined the Bay!  Mike also had some success with coaching and managing junior teams in Wellington’s regional league divisions.

Later on in life Mike was a firm supporter of the Island Bay senior teams, and year after year was always down at the club supporting,  helping out organising teams, providing rides to away fixtures and watching games whenever he could, right up until the last games of the 2002 season, just before his passing in October of that year.

There would be no doubt that Mike would have been the first one at the ground to help out and watch the summer league games, and Mike would have been honoured to have the trophy we are playing for dedicated to his memory.  It’s great to see the club give something back to one of its more charismatic and loyal supporters.