Our former Chairman and President, Ray Grocott, who sadly died in 2023, was instrumental in not only securing the long-term future of our club, but also creating one of Shropshire’s premier sporting and community venues.
A lifelong member of the club, Ray started playing football for Prees FC when he was a teenager. Sport played a big part in his life and he continued to play for the village football and cricket teams, becoming a captain of both.
Back in 1997, through his company Grocontinental, Ray made a £25,000 donation towards the funding of the club’s new multi-purpose fenced 53m x 53m sports pitch which was doubled by the Sportsmatch funding scheme. The Government scheme was devised to encourage British businesses to provide sponsorship funding for grassroots sport.
Later, Ray led the project to re-site and totally rebuild the club, through the sale of land owned by the club to generate construction funds. The new clubhouse was opened in 2005 and it quickly became the hub of village life in Prees.
Since 2005, both personally and through his business, Ray donated £164,000 which generated an additional £41,000 of Gift Aid funding claimed by the club through its registered charity status. This funding contributed towards floodlighting, maintenance equipment, the installation of solar panels to take advantage of renewable heat incentive payments.
Ray also sponsored a number of high-profile bowling events staged at the club over recent years including the Floodlit Open Doubles Championship which he supported from 2013 for six years, the National Doubles Open and the prestigious Jack & Jean Isherwood National Seniors Tournament which showcases the finest bowling talent from across the country. He sponsored this tournament for over a decade.
In 2020, during the Covid pandemic, Ray’s backing helped to inject new life into the club when it underwent a refurbishment programme. The extensive car park was also resurfaced and a new building to house maintenance equipment was constructed and fitted-out.
Less than a year before he passed away, Ray provided funding for a much-needed all-weather playing surface to enhance the club’s facilities.
In his later years, Ray moved to Cricket Meadow, the perfect spot for him to be close to his beloved club. He spent many happy hours here, attending events, chatting to members of all ages and taking an interest in the sporting successes of teams and individuals.
Without Ray’s energy, passion and funding, we simply wouldn’t have this great facility in our village. He has left a very special and sustainable legacy for our community.