Ken Turner, RIP

It is with great sadness that the League reports the passing of its former Chairman, Ken Turner, this morning.

Ken was League Chairman of the Southern Football League between 2005 and 2016. Prior to becoming chairman, he was appointed as a League Director in June 1998 also serving as Vice Chairman to Doug Gilliard. Ken also served as the League's FA Representative during his tenure as chairman sitting on Alliance, Leagues and FA Trophy Committees to name but three.

Prior to his time with the Southern Football League, he spent many happy years as secretary at Gloucester City FC joining the club from local rivals Cheltenham Town in the early 1990s becoming a director of the club in April 1995, before resigning in 2006 owing to his commitments with the Southern Football League. In 2004 he became acting Chairman at the club when he replaced Colin Gardner following his resignation and remained in that capacity until his departure in 2006.

Ken had also enjoyed playing for his local Cheltenham side, scoring many "a fine header"!!

He also devoted his spare time to helping young people in Cheltenham with assisting in the running of youth clubs and also served as chairman of the bench at Gloucestershire Youth Court.

League Operations Manager Jason Mills said: "I received the devastating news from Ken's wife Margaret earlier today. I remained in contact with Ken since he left the League in 2016, a friendship that had formed since I became his assistant at Gloucester City back in the 90s and we shared a passion for non-League football as well as a shared passion for humour. Ken had become ill in April of this year, and I was able to have a conversation with him three weeks ago and planned to call him just after the new season kicked off in a little over a week's time. Margaret had told me in our previous telephone call that the prognosis was not great, and he had been given just a few months by the specialist. Unfortunately, we never got to have that call and I will miss him as a friend, ex-colleague and champion of non-League football. My heart goes out to his wife Margaret, his sons Keith and Graham along with daughter Jodie and the rest of his family and friends. Rest In Peace, friend."

The Board and Officers of the League wishes to convey their condolences as well to Ken's family and friends. Thank you for the years of loyal service to the Southern League and all that you have done for non-League football.

RIP, Ken.