FORMER Forest Green and Gloucester City chairman Colin Gardner sadly lost his brave two-year fight against a brain tumor this morning.

Gardner, 69, passed away peacefully at his Minchinhampton home at 7.50am.

He had been with the Blue Square Premier club for four years, and chairman for two before ill-health struck two years ago.

Gardner, a former football league referee, was instrumental in the new stadium project and will see one of his major achievements as that of persuading Jim Harvey to become manager.

This partnership culminated in the club finishing in their highest ever position since it’s inception in 1890, eighth in the Blue Square Premier .

Four years ago Gardner was handed an MBE – from his near neighbour Princess Anne for his charity work. With his former business, Gardner Security, doing well during the 1980s he began putting on charity events and his donations to various charities over the years topped the £1 million mark.

Beneficiaries included the Meningitis Trust and the Spring Centre in Quedgeley, which helps young people with disabilities and learning difficulties.

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