A FOREST football club has erected a permanent memorial at its ground to seven of its stalwarts who have passed away in recent years. 

The memorial at Broadwell FC remembers former chairmen, players and supporters of the club and was unveiled before the Gloucestershire County League derby against Ruardean Hill Rangers. 

The memorial in Forest Stone is a reminder of former chairmen Melvin Hale and Ken Turner who both died last year, Norman Ennis, Phil ‘Bunner’ Jones, Roger Martin, Richard ‘Crutch’ Harris and Paul ‘Snowy Creed’. 

Club committee member Jason Wood said: “They all did tremendous work for the club and so it was decided to give something back. 

“We lost two former chairmen within six months and that was when it was decided to have the memorial. 

“They were all true Foresters, so it was nice to have it in Forest Stone. 

“To see all their families and friends here was amazing.” 

The project was overseen by current chairman Gary Powell who unveiled the memorial before the highest level game the club is involved in. 

Mr Hale (1952-2017) was chairman twice and as well as being chairman, Ken ‘The Cat’ Turner (1938-2017) also played in goal for the club. 

Paul Creed (1959-2005) was also a goalkeeper and Richard Harris (1952-2013) was also a player and linesman for the second team. 

Roger Martin (1949-2001) was second team manager and Norman Ennis was a big supporter of the club. 

Phil Jones (1958-2001) was also a local builder who built the club’s skittle alley in the 1980s which allowed the club to develop. 

The 1.75-ton piece of Forest Stone was sourced from Forest of Dean Stone Firms based at Cannop and stonemasons ME Damsell loaned the equipment to engrave the stone. 

Ben Roberts and Dan Andrews were the engravers. 

A local haulier brought the stone to the yard where it was worked on.