FORMER Gloucester City and Forest Green Rovers chairman Colin Gardner has died.
Colin passed away on Saturday morning after a long battle with illness. He was 69.
The former proprietor of Gardner Security Porsche Replica Watches and renowned charity fundraiser had been battling an untreatable brain tumour for the past two years.
In June 2008 he told The Citizen how he would like to remembered.
He said he wasn't afraid to die, adding: "I'll be happy if people say I put more into life than I took out."
He will be remembered for being both a gentleman and a hero.
Trevor Horsley, ex-Forest Green Rovers chairman said Colin was a "truly great man".
He added: "I've known him from the days when he was with Gloucester City and I was with Forest Green Rovers.
"We were in direct competition then.
Concord ReplicaWe had quite friendly banter.
"I managed to get Colin to join me at FGR, and he eventually took over from me. He was a brilliant man and did a tremendous amount for charity in Gloucester, and he got deserved recognition from her Majesty for his work and effort.
"He continued to help people throughout his life, right up to the day he sadly died. He was not only a colleague but a dear friend.
"He made so many friends, and will be missed by so many people, but especially by his family."
Tributes were also paid to Colin on the Forest Green Rovers' online forum.
Andy Whiting wrote: "It's a very sad day for football in Gloucestershire.
"I only knew Colin for the last 10 or so years, but he will missed greatly by all of his friends. He was a real gentleman to have known."
Another, writing as Jaceyboy, said: "An absolute hero, we can't thank you enough."
Writing only as Porcelain Bracelet Pitchfork, another put: "A unique man. His good deeds were many, his wise words plentiful.
"His involvement in Forest Green was all too short, but it had impact."
Born in Taunton, Gardner first made his name in football as a referee in the 1960s and 1970s. He rose to officiate in professional games, then became chairman of the Somerset Strugglers in 2000 before his two-year stint as chairman of Gloucester City.
He left city for Forest Green in 2004, then became chairman in August 2006.
Later in the same year he was awarded the MBE for services to charity having raised more than Pounds 1 million for good causes. He leaves behind his wife Clare and three grown-up children.
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