Gazette Comment (From Gazette Series)

Gazette Comment

THERE are so many things that drag sport so spectacularly through the mud nowadays.

With the country's top athletes under constant scrutiny, it seems that we cannot go five minutes without reading about a new drug allegation, another Premiership prima donna throwing their toys out of the pram or some lurid tabloid tittle-tattle.

Thankfully though, the majority of people involved in grass roots level sport do so for the good of their game and their club.

People like Stuart Holloway, stalwart supporter of Wotton Rovers Football Club, who died last week.

Until only very recently 90-year-old Mr Holloway was still actively helping the club by selling tickets for the weekly draw.

There was no personal gratification involved - he just wanted to make sure that he could see the club continue to thrive.

The same applies to so many people that help run a whole range of clubs and organisations, be it sport, leisure or something else.

So much time and effort goes in to the running of these clubs and the hard work of a few people for the benefit of so many more often goes without acknowledgement.

In today's ever more anonymous society it is the likes of the village football or cricket teams that bring the local community together.

The Stuart Holloways of this world must never be taken for granted.