Apologies if this isn't the right place to post this news. But I know many fans only look at 'First Team' with topics on 'General Chat' often getting little attention.

 

Last weekend ardent FGR fan, Phil Doble, passed away at his home in Amberley. This was after a year's struggle fighting cancer. Very few were privy to his plight. He leaves a gaping hole in the lives of his wife Anna and son Wilf. He will be sorely missed by wider family members and his friends.

 

I first met Phil when his son became a top notch FGR ambassador for Woodchester School. Phil became a regular at ambassador induction meetings, raising the profile of the Supporters' Club and promoting all the various teams representing Forest Green Rovers.

 

He has been an active member of the Supporters Club and has sat on the main Board of the club representing supporters' interests. He has been a regular at Fans' liaison meetings with our CEOs in recent years. He attended the National League AGM with me in 2024.

 

Phil took over the organisation and waving of the big flags on the pitch, prior to matches, several year's ago. This has always added to the colour, atmosphere and excitement when the players walk out. His son Wilf continues waving flags before games.

 

Phil was a big supporter of the Women's Team, regularly attending fixtures and often driving a minibus to away matches. He was a stalwart of the Supporters' Club initiating the creation of a SC website, writing match previews and being the main contact for emails sent to the Supporters' Club. He was selfless and very efficient in all he did.

 

 

There will be a funeral service on 3rd October at  1:30 at Amberley Church followed by a gathering at FGR afterwards ( probably around 3pm). This is the perfect location when we think of all Phil did for the club in recent years. I hope there will be representation from fans, though I appreciate it is a working day for many.

 

R.I.P. Phil Doble