A SAD WEEK AHEAD AS WE SAY GOODBYE TO ROGER SMITH !

Thursday 21st November will be one of the saddest days in the club’s history as they say goodbye to their beloved President Roger Smith, our cover picture shows Roger at the ground with current Pgmo chief Howard Webb, who Roger helped secure as a brilliant guest speaker at the ground in 2013 for the club’s historic annual Christmas Luncheon.

Any funeral is usually a mix of sadness and a celebration of someone’s life and Carlton Town Football Club was certainly a big part of Roger’s life as a player, chairman and later President of the club he was involved with in two spells over many, many years.

The funeral service will take place from 2pm at St Helen’s Church in Plungar and at approximately between 3.15pm and 3.30pm , the hearse and funeral party will drive into the Bill Stokeld Stadium for Roger’s final visit to the ground, before continuing to Gedling Crematorium for the cremation ceremony at 4pm.

The family are leaving it up to individuals to choose how they wish to pay their respects to Roger.
Mourners are welcome at any or all of the venues we have mentioned above, depending on personal circumstances and individual choice.

For those not able to attend the church and from the club’s perspective, it would be nice if there was a decent turnout to applaud the Hearse as it enters the Bill Stokeld Stadium and Chairman Mick Garton and Joint Manager Tommy Brookbanks who have both known and worked with Roger at the club for many years, will ensure they are both back at the Clubhouse to head up the welcome party after attending the church service.

The club will be putting on food in the Howard Mitchell Sportsbar and everyone who wants to pay their respects is invited, the bar is open from 3pm for those attending the drive through and staying on and for those going to the Crematorium and returning later.

The family have asked the club to organise a collection bucket as an alternative to people sending flowers, they would prefer people to donate to the club, so the club can spend the money on a particular something the club currently needs and is what Roger would have wanted and thus the item, whatever it may be, can be paid for in his name.

A similar arrangement we understand, is also to be in place in Roger’s village to support the Stoke Rochford Golf Club and the local church at a second wake for Roger’s many other friends who are from the opposite side of Nottinghamshire.

The family have asked us to emphasise that everyone is welcome to come and pay their respects, however they see fit, a sad day indeed awaits us, a day we will will never forget as we say goodbye to a true Carlton Town Legend.

RIP Roger ❤️