Football Programmes Centre

Footiebadgebloke · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 827

Longtime organiser of the Shrewsbury fair .....extract taken from the STFC website -

Shrewsbury Town Legend passes

Shrewsbury Town have been saddened to hear about the passing of club Legend Chris Smith yesterday.

Chris has been a big part of the club over many years supporting Shrewsbury Town. He went to his first match age two with his grandad Sam Powell who was the Town physio and trainer at the time, and that was where his link to the club began.

His first voluntary work began aged 13 years of age as a programme seller. In the early 1970's he helped form the supporters football side, organise and run the away travel club and in later years the Super Blues which has helped many projects at the club.

He followed the club all over the country both home and away, as well as on trips abroad. He was known to supporters at clubs throughout the divisions and was well respected by programme and sports memorabilia collectors.

When the club announced it was looking to recognise club Legends, Chris was the only non-playing member to be named in the initial illustrious list of ten.

Despite battling MS in later years Chris still was a regular at the Greenhous Meadow and was at the recent supporters award evening hosted at the stadium

Shrewsbury Town chairman Roland Wycherley spoke on behalf of the club.

“I am shocked and saddened that we have received the news that Chris has passed away”, said the Chairman.

“He has been a lifelong supporter of Shrewsbury Town and has done so much for the club over that time.

“From a young age he travelled the country supporting the club and then became a driving force behind the supporters groups.

“His work with the Super Blues club has seen it help many projects at the Gay Meadow and at the Greenhous Meadow.

“He was inducted into the Shrewsbury Town Legends and is the first supporter to have that honour bestowed on him.

“He will be sadly missed by everyone contacted with the football club and our thoughts are with Sylvia, his family and friends at this very sad time.”

Read more at http://www.shrewsburytown.com/.....uvvGXwk.99

slightfold · Joined: 13 Oct 2009 Posts: 607

I too am shocked and saddened to hear of Chris's passing. I would like to add my condolences to his family for their loss. I dealt with Chris on quite a few occasions, and always found him to be a really genuine bloke who fought his battle with MS. His work with the Shrewsbury supporters' travel arrangements was exemplary and he will be greatly missed at the club.
R.I.P. Chris.

littlewiggy · Joined: 07 Apr 2013 Posts: 1810 Location: Newport

I never had the pleasure as far as I recall, but very sad news.
He sounded a proper football man.

RIP Chris.
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Paul Johnson · Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 7:37 pm Post subject:

did some programme fairs with him back in the day.

RIP

mgmbarside · Joined: 02 Jun 2014 Posts: 45 Location: weeley heath

remember him over the years helped me track down shrewsbury v colchester old ones then meet in at programme FAIRS , when i did them with again the late david stacey ,all the good ones are going RIP

derby1884 · Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 11:22 pm Post subject:

That's sad news - I had a long chat with him at the Shrewsbury Fair back in 2012.
When I brought up the subject of the rather scarce (to put it mildly) mid-60s Shrews v Derby s/s friendly, he told me last copy he saw went for over £200.
He knew his stuff.
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NVQ Assessor · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 44

a legend in the Shropshire football/memorabilia community.

CHRIS GIBBS · Joined: 14 Feb 2010 Posts: 93 Location: Portsmouth

Very sad to hear the news of the death of Chris Smith. Most clubs have someone who like Chris can be relied on to help with enquiries programme wise and I have been in contact with him for a long time. With Pompey getting promoted I had been waiting for the usual call from him re a programme exchange next season. Always helpful and worth finding at all the big programme fairs for a long chat about programmes and football in general. Well done to Shrewsbury in adding him to their Legends list, something more clubs should do. Condolences to his family.

Fishy · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 1217

Another sad loss to 'our world'.

I never met Chris, but I believe that he found me a nice Shrews Reserves v Millwall a few years back.

RIP
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