25-02-2024, 12:58 PM
All
Some sad news to share with you all that my dad passed away yesterday afternoon surrounded by his closest family. Despite suffering from cancer for almost 10 years, he battled on for such a long period of time and carried on trying to enjoy his life to the best of his ability before finally passing away peacefully yesterday.
The club was such a important part of his life since he moved to Gloucester and it was rare that his weekends weren't filled with watching City home or away no matter what league we were in or where we were playing - Bilston, Blyth Spartans, Leiston, Gresley Rovers, Margate, Fleetwood or Paget Rangers - he had done them all.
We spent so many fantastic days travelling away to watch City, usually with the Tigers By Train contingent including Dave A, Dave Y, Steve (Growlithe), Sean, Keith, Adam, Jock, Webby and many others. No ground or distance was too far and I was always there with him (mainly for the Family Railcard discount) despite mum not being too pleased with the time we arrived back from some of these weird and wonderful places. Memorable trips include losing Dave A at Crawley and making the stadium keyholder put the floodlights on at 9pm to check the entire ground, playing football behind the goal at Bedworth with Sean and ending up muddier than the players and the goalkeeper at Shepshed Dynamo losing his cool with dad's incessant banter and kicking the ball at him when going to take a goal kick. Dad was never one to shy away from making sure the opposition goalkeeper knew who he was and what he thought of him!
Dad was heavily involved in the original founding of the Supporters Club, which then went on the become the Supporters Trust. This initially started out as selling the Golden Goal tickets which was heavily focused on selling as many tickets as soon as possible to ensure he was able to get a drink from the bar. As time progressed, his role increased to running Race Nights, Quiz Nights and many other fundraising events to ensure the Supporters Trust continued to provide vital funds to the club. Ultimately, he took on the role of Chairman throughout periods of our exile at C********m and Evesham (2014 - 2018), and continued to ensure the Supporters Trust was a voice for the fans and provided funds for the club to help us beat the drop from the Conference North/South.
He made so many friends at City and with opposition supporters too - there are too many to list but I'm sure you will have all shared a beer with him, been harassed by him to give money for a Golden Goal or heard his voice on the terraces.
Despite his attendance at games diminishing since our return home, he remained a keen follower of the club and I would always ring him after games to tell him of City's performance (or lack of it).
Dad was not only a football man but also a great family man and he leaves behind an amazing wife, Sally, a lovely daughter in law, Becky, and a granddaughter he loved dearly, Bella. I will share further details of funeral arrangements when they are available.
Rest in peace Dad
Mark
Some sad news to share with you all that my dad passed away yesterday afternoon surrounded by his closest family. Despite suffering from cancer for almost 10 years, he battled on for such a long period of time and carried on trying to enjoy his life to the best of his ability before finally passing away peacefully yesterday.
The club was such a important part of his life since he moved to Gloucester and it was rare that his weekends weren't filled with watching City home or away no matter what league we were in or where we were playing - Bilston, Blyth Spartans, Leiston, Gresley Rovers, Margate, Fleetwood or Paget Rangers - he had done them all.
We spent so many fantastic days travelling away to watch City, usually with the Tigers By Train contingent including Dave A, Dave Y, Steve (Growlithe), Sean, Keith, Adam, Jock, Webby and many others. No ground or distance was too far and I was always there with him (mainly for the Family Railcard discount) despite mum not being too pleased with the time we arrived back from some of these weird and wonderful places. Memorable trips include losing Dave A at Crawley and making the stadium keyholder put the floodlights on at 9pm to check the entire ground, playing football behind the goal at Bedworth with Sean and ending up muddier than the players and the goalkeeper at Shepshed Dynamo losing his cool with dad's incessant banter and kicking the ball at him when going to take a goal kick. Dad was never one to shy away from making sure the opposition goalkeeper knew who he was and what he thought of him!
Dad was heavily involved in the original founding of the Supporters Club, which then went on the become the Supporters Trust. This initially started out as selling the Golden Goal tickets which was heavily focused on selling as many tickets as soon as possible to ensure he was able to get a drink from the bar. As time progressed, his role increased to running Race Nights, Quiz Nights and many other fundraising events to ensure the Supporters Trust continued to provide vital funds to the club. Ultimately, he took on the role of Chairman throughout periods of our exile at C********m and Evesham (2014 - 2018), and continued to ensure the Supporters Trust was a voice for the fans and provided funds for the club to help us beat the drop from the Conference North/South.
He made so many friends at City and with opposition supporters too - there are too many to list but I'm sure you will have all shared a beer with him, been harassed by him to give money for a Golden Goal or heard his voice on the terraces.
Despite his attendance at games diminishing since our return home, he remained a keen follower of the club and I would always ring him after games to tell him of City's performance (or lack of it).
Dad was not only a football man but also a great family man and he leaves behind an amazing wife, Sally, a lovely daughter in law, Becky, and a granddaughter he loved dearly, Bella. I will share further details of funeral arrangements when they are available.
Rest in peace Dad
Mark