A CROWD of almost 300 celebrated the life of Allan Boulton in a memorial match arranged in his honour at Brimscombe & Thrupp on Sunday, writes Richard Joyce.

The former Brimscombe club secretary, who also spent many years as secretary of the youth set-up at Forest Green alongside his job as a team and supporters coach driver for the club at KB Coaches, passed away in December 2023.

A Brimscombe veterans team and Forest Green Rovers Legends side did battle in a match to mark his special contribution to both clubs, which also raised funds for the Gloucestershire Air Ambulance Charity.

(Image: Image by Brian Rossiter)

(Image: Image by Brian Rossiter) It was the FGR Legends who came out on top in an entertaining contest that featured former Forest Green players stretched across three decades.

Managed by Scott Bartlett, it was the FGR Legends who wrestled control of the game early on.

Marc McGregor saw his shot go wide before the deadlock was broken after just seven minutes when Yan Klukowski planted a powerful shot past Duane Portlock.

Alex Meechan aimed to double FGR’s lead, only to shoot past the post, before Brimscombe levelled the game through Pete Smith.

They could have gone in front when former Lilywhite turned actor, Mike Beckingham, tested Sam Russell in the FGR goal with a good strike.

Meechan ensured FGR would regain their lead a few minutes before half time when he found room to fire his side back in front ahead of the break.

Beckingham was again thwarted by Russell early in the second half, while Brimscombe’s half time replacement goalkeeper, Simon Flowers, made a brilliant save from Paul Hunt at the other end at point-blank range after the legendary striker had got on the end of Oakley Bartlett’s low ball into the box.

FGR wrapped up the win in the closing stages when Gary Kemp crossed for Dennis Bailey, and the man who once scored a hat-trick at Old Trafford for QPR, was able to touch home to complete a special afternoon celebrating the life of Allan Boulton.

FGR Legends: Sam Russell, Steve Winter, Matt Coupe, Gary Horgan, Gary Kemp, Rob Cook, Scott Rogers, Yan Klukowski, Alex Sykes, Alex Meechan, Marc McGregor, Paul Hunt, Dennis Bailey, Oakley Bartlett, Kieron Perrin, Rob Cousins, Chris Burns, Steve Jones, Dave Mehew Brimscombe veterans: Duane Portlock, Simon Flowers, Rick Towers, Al Wheatley, Neil Long, Olly Roberts, Pete Smith, Tom Cole, Matty Blythe, Phil Baker, John Dalton, Mike Beckingham, Andy Boot, Jamie Underwood, Martin McDermott, Sam Prior, Tim Wilkins, Chris Greenhough, Mike Green