10th December 2013
A teenage footballer has received £1,000 from the family set up in memory of one of Yeovil Town’s biggest supporters.
Cameron Sanford, 14, who attends the Advanced Development Centre, was the latest recipient of the bursary given in memory of Gurnard Smith, a former vice-president who died in 2010.
The youngster was presented with the cheque by Mr Smith’s widow, Mary, ahead of the Glovers’ 2-2 draw with Charlton Athletic at the weekend.
Sara Bradley, manager of the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust (YTCST) which runs the centre, said the money would help the youngster’s development as a player.
She said: “Gurnard was a lovely man and is sorely missed by everyone connected with Yeovil Town Football Club.
“This bursary will certainly help Cameron with his football and his progression within the Advanced Development Centre and beyond.
“I would personally like to thank and congratulate our development officer, Bob Thomas as he has been instrumental in developing Cameron into the footballer he is today.”
Cameron has been coached by the Trust for the past six years having started out in its Development Centre in Taunton and progressing to its Centre of Excellence ahead of its closure last year.
He now travels from his home in north Somerset on a weekly basis to take part in sessions organised by the Trust.
Development officer, Bob Thomas said: “When the Centre of Excellence closed, we invited the boys to say with us and Cameron opted to do so.
“We have been working with him recently on certain areas of his game that he needed to improve, and his response has been superb.
“Cameron is always one of the first to arrive at training, and has recently taken it upon himself to organise the warm up for the older boys.
“His commitment and enthusiasm for the game has never been in question.”