It’s truly touching to see the Gasroom community at it’s very best. I was lucky to be a family friend of Phil’s, having been at school with his eldest. From memory Phil & family moved to the area at the tail-end of the MoN era, what a super time to discover the club. Which meant there would now be a convoy of two cars heading from Hughenden V to AP on a Saturday. Many fond memories followed of Phil’s halftime routine of offering around either a drop of bovril or instead coffee&drambuie, in fact, thinking about it - the drambuie might explain the somewhat imaginative parking spots Phil would be able to pinpoint on Hillbottom Rd in the late 90s. And there were far too many great away days to mention them all. But a couple of my most memorable trips were the weekday evenings, bouncing straight off the school bus into Phil’s Astra, then off to the Vetch, Layer Rd or Ashton Gate. Phil clearly loved the camaraderie of the club, the atmosphere of a matchday, the personalities of the players and he bloomin’ loved a hobby. Though wasn’t short on the latter – being a sailor, aviator and of course he dabbled in silly cars, why not. His was a gentle soul, who liked to do what he could for others – be it volunteering to clear snow in the top car park or running the village junior football team. In recent years I’ve endeavoured to payback some of the petrol money by buying Phil the post-match pints in the Vere Suite – matchdays certainly won’t feel the same
Needless to say I could go on, there’s a great deal to say about a great man, but I’ll leave it there. Will pass on your kind messages to Phil’s family. And thanks Gasroom for creating this wonderful community – long may it continue. COYB
Lovely tributes all, RIP, best to friends and family.
This thread, that for dear old Motty and for Brian Lee, and to a lesser extent the tributes for the staff moving on to pastures new should be some evidence of humanity and decency on here and throughout football that is often overlooked.
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What terribly sad news. Thoughts and best wishes with his family and friends. RIP @ValleyWanderer
Such sad news, rest in peace our fellow Gasroomer. Sending love to the family of @ValleyWanderer 💙😢
Sad news RIP @ValleyWanderer
It’s truly touching to see the Gasroom community at it’s very best. I was lucky to be a family friend of Phil’s, having been at school with his eldest. From memory Phil & family moved to the area at the tail-end of the MoN era, what a super time to discover the club. Which meant there would now be a convoy of two cars heading from Hughenden V to AP on a Saturday. Many fond memories followed of Phil’s halftime routine of offering around either a drop of bovril or instead coffee&drambuie, in fact, thinking about it - the drambuie might explain the somewhat imaginative parking spots Phil would be able to pinpoint on Hillbottom Rd in the late 90s. And there were far too many great away days to mention them all. But a couple of my most memorable trips were the weekday evenings, bouncing straight off the school bus into Phil’s Astra, then off to the Vetch, Layer Rd or Ashton Gate. Phil clearly loved the camaraderie of the club, the atmosphere of a matchday, the personalities of the players and he bloomin’ loved a hobby. Though wasn’t short on the latter – being a sailor, aviator and of course he dabbled in silly cars, why not. His was a gentle soul, who liked to do what he could for others – be it volunteering to clear snow in the top car park or running the village junior football team. In recent years I’ve endeavoured to payback some of the petrol money by buying Phil the post-match pints in the Vere Suite – matchdays certainly won’t feel the same
Needless to say I could go on, there’s a great deal to say about a great man, but I’ll leave it there. Will pass on your kind messages to Phil’s family. And thanks Gasroom for creating this wonderful community – long may it continue. COYB
Great stuff @ArnoldLayne. Thanks for the memories.
Lovely tributes all, RIP, best to friends and family.
This thread, that for dear old Motty and for Brian Lee, and to a lesser extent the tributes for the staff moving on to pastures new should be some evidence of humanity and decency on here and throughout football that is often overlooked.
Nice touch from the club again