DEVASTATING DEATH OF CLUB PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED BY THE MILLERS

Carlton Town are devastated to report the death of their long standing Club President Roger Smith.

The news came through at Emley where Carlton where playing just 15 minutes before kick off and left senior figures at the club in tears before the kick off.

It’s no secret that Roger had spent 6 months of this year in hospital, but was welcomed back to Stoke Lane in September and looked clearly on the mend in recent weeks and was holding court in the Howard Mitchell Sportsbar only last Saturday as the Millers beat Consett 3-0.

We are not currently in possession of all the facts, but this website understands he was rushed into hospital in the last 24 hours and tragically passed away on Saturday afternoon.

We will obviously reveal whatever information we can for supporters and everyone at the club in due course, but for now we are just reporting this sad, sad news.

Chairman Mick Garton had worked alongside Roger as president for the last 20 years and told us in a brief statement.
“We are all obviously devastated and no words can explain what his family must be going through, this was not expected and has knocked everyone who knew him for six, I have seen all the kind words on social media and on behalf of the club, I wish to thank everyone for those kind messages and thoughts” concluded the Millers Chairman.

Joint Manager Tommy Brookbanks who has known Roger for over 40 years was left heartbroken as the game at Emley kicked off and echoed what Mick had said to us after the game.
“The club are devastated to hear that Roger Smith passed away earlier today. A huge loss for Carlton, but most importantly Viv , Laura and his family. Further club announcements will follow through the website etc in due course” said Tommy.

For the record Carlton lost to top of the table Emley 4-0 earlier this afternoon, conceding two penalties, one of which was saved by Felix and played a significant part of the second half with only  10 men after Alex Howes received two yellow cards.

For once from a Carlton perspective, the result didn’t really matter today, there was a much bigger picture at stake, the life of a fine and wonderful man who had been a player, Chairman and President of our football club had ended, it was a sad day indeed !