Cheltenham Town FC

A huge loss

Following today's devastating news about the death of Vice-Chairman Colin Farmer, here are some words about him from friend and fellow Director Paul Godfrey.

Colin had such massive enthusiasm for everything to do with the football club. His strength of character, knowledge and wisdom will be impossible to replace. If anyone wonders what Colin’s main contribution to the football club was, all they need do is study the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs. You can see the 'before' picture above which was taken around 1987.

Colin was born in Cheltenham and brought up in Whaddon, on the doorstep of Cheltenham Town Football Club.

He was an accomplished local footballer who played for Whaddon and College Boys Club and represented Cheltenham and District Schools as well as having trials with a handful of professional clubs. He made three appearances for Cheltenham Town in the Midland Floodlit League during the 1968-69 season and went on to enjoy a long playing career with St Marks CA, Forest Green Rovers and Cirencester Town. Those who knew him as a player believed he would have been capable of playing at a much higher level but for a lack of pace, as his nickname “stroller” would suggest.

Colin went into business as both a used car trader and property developer and he had many friends and business contacts in the local area. When he joined the football club Board in 1987 Colin brought with him a knowledge of both football and business that proved invaluable over the next 29 years. His principal legacy to the club is the transformation of Whaddon Road from a ground with one main stand and three ‘sheds’ on top of low terracing to the fully appointed Football League ground that it is today. Colin was involved in everything from painting and decorating to project-managing construction of the stand on the Wymans Road side of the ground in 2002.

Colin’s passion for the club was unequalled and even despite health problems in recent years, he would be present at every home and away match and every meeting. He will be very sorely missed.