Page 4 - Yate Town FC v Swindon Supermarine 260322

Good afternoon and a warm welcome to all of our supporters, and also to
Lee Spalding, his players, staff, the club officials and all the travelling fans
who have made the short trip from Swindon this afternoon. We hope you
enjoy your visit to the South West Interiors stadium today.

As some of you may know today is Non-League Day with England playing
Switzerland at 5:30pm and no Premier League or Championship games
scheduled that weekend, the date provides a platform for clubs to promote
the importance of volunteer-led community football, while empowering fans
to show support for their local non-league side. Over the years, an
increasing number of clubs across the National League System have
recorded significantly higher crowds, in some cases doubling or even
tripling their average attendance. Once again the NLD team are partnering
with Prostate Cancer UK to raise funds for, and awareness of, an illness that
affects thousands of men in Britain every year. Collection buckets will be in
the clubhouse and turnstile, please give generously.

It is also poignant on the day when we are calling on fans to support their
local club that we remember two of our own very dedicated followers who
have been sadly taken from us.

James “Jim” Duke was a dear friend,
father, granddad, uncle, great uncle and
brother. He followed Yate Town Home
and away for 40 years after starting his
first job as a YTS trainee at the age of
17 with his employer Sun Chemicals.
Jim would most likely be spotted by the
dugout with a cup of tea, rain or shine.
He wasn’t vocal on the side lines, but
his wise words would be worth listening
to and he would always encourage his
group of friends from his local in
Bradley Stoke to join the crowd at
Lodge Road for those memorable
fixtures and make a day of it. We are
joined by his family today and we know
he’ll be watching today!!!!
RIP James Duke, 23rd October 1964 -
6th March 2022.

Laurence ‘Jock’ Coia was also a much loved father, grandfather, and great
grandfather who recently passed away at the tender age of 91. Jock was
born in Glasgow into a family of 15. He loved football and in the 1970’s
managed the Yate Town 3rd team achieving much success on the pitch, but
more importantly giving up his valuable time for the benefit of others who