Thank you, John…

A year has now passed since the untimely death of John Kayes.

John was a true Rovers legend, raising money for the club, its supporters and the wider Rovers family for more than five decades. John was always there, doing what he could to support the club he loved.

As Chair of the Bristol Rovers Disabled Supporters Association, John would often ask me how he could help us through the fundraising work of his ‘Tote End Old Boys’.

His support played an important part in improving inclusion and the matchday experience for our disabled supporters.

One of my favourite memories was when John decided to provide ponchos for our wheelchair users. In typical John fashion, he sourced some blue ponchos from one of his many suppliers and then decided to iron our crest onto the waterproof material himself. Unfortunately, the first attempt didn’t quite go to plan, and he managed to melt the whole thing together!

That certainly didn’t deter him. After overcoming his questionable ironing skills, John eventually delivered the finished ponchos to some very grateful supporters. It was typical of him — if he could find a way to help, he would.

I am therefore extremely proud to announce that, following the cladding of the West Stand wheelchair bay, funded by Bristol Rovers Supporters Club, and with the full support of Bristol Rovers Football Club, the area will be named the John Kayes Memorial Bay.

John and the Tote End Old Boys played an important part in supporting the project a few seasons ago, including funding the companion seating within the bay. It therefore feels entirely fitting that his name will now become a permanent part of an area that means so much to our disabled supporters.

We at the Disabled Supporters Association will always be immensely grateful for the support John and the Tote End Old Boys have given us over the past nine years.

John’s legacy will live on at the Mem, not only through the naming of this area, but through the many people and causes he helped over so many years. I know his family and friends have continued his fundraising efforts in support of the Bristol Rovers Community Trust, which is perhaps the most fitting tribute of all.

John Kayes was a true Gashead, a true blue, and a great friend to so many.

He always will be.

Clive Marshall

Bristol Rovers Supporters Club