Saturday’s game against Plymouth Parkway is also our annual Sally Goulding Memorial Match.
We’re pleased to welcome Alan Goulding to this fixture again this year.
I have told Sally and Alan’s story before and have included it again below. This annual memorial is a celebration of Sally’s life and a chance for us to show how grateful we are for the vital kit that was donated. Please have a read of the story below and keep Sally and Alan in your thoughts tomorrow as we cheer the lads on for this match.
One day, out of the blue I got a message from a gentleman called Alan Goulding in Nottinghamshire. I don’t think I had ever met or spoken to him before. There was talk on Facebook of fundraising for a new defibrillator for the football club and in his very first message to me, Alan said he wanted to make a donation to cover the cost of a new defib.
We exchanged several messages, and he went on to tell me the story during a phone call of how his wife had contracted covid and sadly passed away in the hospital on February 14th, Valentine’s Day. I hardly knew this man, but I remember how hard it was to hear this story. It was the moment that it really hit me that the pandemic was much more than sitting at home watching TV.
The donation to the Club came with just one condition. It was to mark the memory of Sally.
Sally loved Salisbury FC. So, her name will now always be linked with her Club. The Defib is in reception and is proudly placed on the wall next to a plaque dedicated to Alan’s generosity and Sally’s memory. Alan’s donation went way beyond a new defibrillator. He also funded a brand-new spinal board. This board works in a way that a player with any suspected back or neck injury can be lifted from the field with very little disturbance. It is a premium piece of equipment with a price tag to match but it could prevent some serious injuries.
On the back of our stewards, you might notice a smart Salisbury FC logo and a message under it saying that it is in memory of Sally Goulding. This is because Alan also donated all-new kit for our stewards. It keeps them warm and visible while they work at the Football Club.
Alan has travelled down to the Ray Mac many times since I first got to know him and it’s always a pleasure when he does. He’s an absolutely fantastic chap with whom I always enjoy a chat. Thank you, Alan. As great as he is and as much as we appreciate his generosity. I can only finish this article one way.
This is for you, Sally…. COME ON YOU WHITES!
