Slimbridge AFC are making changes behind the scenes as they look to progress on and off the pitch, writes Tim Blake.
Former club secretary Colin Gay will step up to join his brother Barry as co-chairman, with Alena Wrixon taking over Colin’s secretarial role.
These appointments are subject to ratification at the Club’s AGM.
Barry said: ‘It’s been well documented that my health has not been at its best for about the last eight or so months. I want to reassure everyone that I am making progress thanks to the tremendous support I have received from the NHS and therapists – and the support and love I have received from my family and friends has helped me through this episode.
“I want to thank all those connected to this great club which as you know is a massive part of my life. I can’t mention everyone but I just want to especially thank my brother Colin and Alena who have shown me so much support and encouragement through a difficult time.
“I am very much looking forward to getting back to working alongside Colin in his new role as co-chairman. Colin, along with Alena, Rob Peck and David Morgan have put this club in a great position to progress. I also look forward to getting back and working with the managers,coaching staff and players very soon.
“Our immense thanks also go to Ian Wrixon, who has worked tirelessly to maintain Thornhill Park in top condition during the pandemic and has done a tremendous job.”
Colin stated: ‘I am honoured to accept this step up and work alongside Barry, who is undoubtedly one of the most liked and respected chairmen in the Southern League, and of course also in local football.
“It takes a lot of time and effort to keep a small club like Slimbridge AFC competing at the level that we do and Barry quite clearly needs help to enable us to maintain this.
“We are very fortunate to have a great band of volunteers and supporters here, for which we are extremely grateful – Both Barry and I are very excited going forward and we both very much look forward to the challenge.
“Stepping in my shoes as secretary is Alena, and I for one, cannot speak highly enough of her enthusiasm that she shows in helping to run this football club. She has a tremendous ‘administrative’ background, so we are very fortunate to have what I see as the perfect replacement for me as club secretary.”
The Club have also announced that they will be applying to enter their Under 18s in the Cheltenham Floodlit Youth League with home games being played at their Thornhill Park home.
The Reserve team, under the guidance of Adam Coyle, have applied for promotion to the Hellenic League Division One and are currently awaiting a FA decision on their application.
Picture shows Colin (Left) and Barry Gay
