The new season got underway last week with our now customary opening-day and equally London Road defeat so I will not dwell on that in the hope of much better things this afternoon.
Instead I would just like to make public mention of several good friends who we have lost from the Football Club over the sweltering summer. ‘Mildy’ and Ellis have left from the playing side and they will always be remembered for playing a major part in Rovers’ double promotion from the National League back up into League 1 in the minimum possible time. Steve was the subject of that amazing but successful last-gasp substituion in the Wembley Play-off Final after Ellis had scored our equaliser – just one of so many crucial goals he put away for us in his long Rovers career. ‘Daft as a brush’ he may have been but he and ‘Mildy’ were great clubmen who will be sadly missed.
Behind the scenes the Supporters Club Committee will greatly miss Ben Smith from the Rovers’ Accounts department, who has left for pastures new in East Anglia and Finance Director Steve Brookfield who has other business interests in the north of England. Both Steve and Ben were a great help to us particularly when we were recovering from a large financial embezzlement a couple of years ago.
Perhaps the biggest loss to the Club though is the untimely departure of Keith Brookman, the driving force and earstwhile Editor of this highly successful and award-winning match programme. Keith held the reigns for around the last quarter of a century and it will take much effort to achieve anything like the success that he has presided over whilst also acting as Player’s Liaison Officer for the Club. I have already sent a personal message to Keith but would like to take the opportunity to thank him publicly for all that he has done for Rovers and for the help he has given to me and the Supporters Club in both the roles that he undertook. Keith will be badly missed, as will all the others I have mentioned and I sincerely wish them all the very best for the future. Likewise, our best wishes and support go to all their replacements who make their home ‘debuts’ in all their various roles today!
Jim Chappell.