Former player remembered at fixture

26 Dec 2016 By David Watters

Cirencester Town and Chippenham Town held a minute's silence before drawing 3-3 in the EVO-STIK League Southern's top flight on Boxing Day for former Centurions development player James Smith who died before Christmas.

A member of the Cirencester Town development squad for four seasons from 2011 to 2015 before leaving to fulfil his dream of joining the Royal Marines, he passed away last week aged 24 after losing his battle against cancer.

Clive Messenger, his manager during his time in the development squad at the Corinium Stadium, paid tribute to the defender who also played for Royal Wootton Bassett Town's U18s and reserves.

He told www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk: "He was probably the most loyal and dedicated player I ever worked with. If you told him to run through a brick wall, he would run through a brick wall. He was adored by the other lads."

A statement on the club's website ahead of the fixture read: "A popular, friendly figure, he will be sorely missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with those close to him at this difficult time."

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Where next?

Boxing Day's South & West Division review With runaway leaders Hereford FC not in Boxing Day action, it was an opportunity for the chasing pack in the EVO-STIK League Southern's Division One South & West to make up some ground on the Bulls, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.