Shepton's Finest

Shepton Mallet Football Club’s new ‘Gregsy’ memorial stand was officially opened on Sunday 29th August, but had already been vandalized.  

Shepton Mallet’s ground is hailed as one of the finest in the region and had also been described as the epitome of an ‘old school’ ground, having previously had a stand which was made out of a couple of lorry trailers. 

This year however, the club has floodlights and a new stand.  The new 42 seater stand was named in memoriam of Dean Gregory, a former player and club member.  The official opening was carried out by Glastonbury Festival Organizer Michael Eavis.  Dean or ‘Gregsy’ had previously stewarded at the Festival, but sadly passed away last September, aged just 37, after losing his battle with cancer.  

This February 150 of ‘Gregsy’s’ family members held a walk around the perimeter of the pitch and in one day, raised £4500 of the £6000 needed for the stand. 

However, during the four weeks prior to its official ‘opening’, a spectator in the back row of the stand deliberately forced and broke the seat in front of them, bending the supporting bar that holds it in place.  Mr John Hugil, club chairman (and of MJ Sports) is quoted as saying that “I just hope it was not one of our supporters, as I don’t want whoever did this back if they cannot show any respect”.

Putting this disrespectful and pitiful act aside, Shepton Mallet’s football ground now has superb facilities which it can be justly proud of, and its stand bears the name of a man whom the club will long remember and associate with that sense of pride.