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Post by FAV Army on Dec 15, 2014 21:19:59 GMT
The club have received some very sad and shocking news tonight.
RIP former vice-chairman Tony Gray.
Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time, he will be missed by the club.
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Post by carparkman on Dec 19, 2014 17:30:15 GMT
I think Tony Gray came in as a volunteer/committee member in about 2005/6, not long after FTFC had got playing again following the revival. His main contribution was using his I.T. skills as web master. As with most other clubs who want to progress, things depend on having a good team management set up AND a dedicated band of volunteers to ensure things happen off the pitch. I think Tony realised this, and he certainly played his part in the process. As well as running the fledgling web site, he was (I think) involved in the selection of a new manager following the sacking of Paul Copley. The new manager would have the difficult task of not only pulling us away from the relegation area of the Kent League, but to challenge for promotion to Ryman South after stabilising the club. I recollect, Tony was impressed by the joint team of Jimmy Strouts and Justin Luchford who were duly appointed. Strouts soon left and OK, Luchford isn't everyones' cup of tea. But it proved to be an astute choice. In a unique double, FTFC easily won the Kent league the following season and won the Kent senior trophy for good measure defeating Greenwich Boro in the final. As the older supporters knew full well, Kent league titles didn't come easy yet Luchford had come up with the goods. Tony therefore in a small way could claim some of the credit here. It didn't end there. A ground grading inspection was looming and several things needed attention, one of which was a second turnstile. Prices of new turnstiles were clearly out of reach, but Tony tracked down a second hand one (in Scotland I think) and drove there to pick it up. Grant funding was obtained and the inspection was passed. It was Ryman South for FTFC. OK, not the best turnstile in the world, but it does us a turn (haha) and can be pressed into service if necessary. So next time you queue for the turnstiles in anticipation to watch another Ryman South encounter at the Shepherd Neame stadium, you may wish to quietly offer thanks to Tony who certainly played his part in getting us there.
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