Former club chairman and giant of Oswestry football Bill Jerman dies

Bill was elected chairman at Oswestry, where he lived, in 1999, four years before the club's merger with Total Network Solutions, of Llansantfraidd, which saw them join the Welsh pyramid.

Searching for a way to sustain the club, he was heavily involved in the merger with Mike Harris' Total Network Solutions, and remained an avid follower of The New Saints and rarely missed a game.

Bill was also a keen bowler, and competed in the Oswestry District Bowling League.

His grandson, Andy Wilson, shared the news on Sunday evening. He tweeted: "The stars have gained a legend. RIP to the man I was proud to call my grandad. I’ll miss his smile, his passion, his cheekiness & amazing stories from his many experiences. He was the 1st person to take an English club into the Welsh League. RIP Bill Jerman."

Born in the village of Churchstoke, in Montgomery in Powys, Bill moved to north Shropshire with his young family in 1959, where he purchased a dairy farm near Hindford.

His amateur football career had been cut short due to a broken leg playing for hometown club Churchstoke.

Bill was voted in as chairman at Park Hall just before the turn of the millennium and, as numbers through the gates dwindled, 'put his hand in his own pocket' to keep the historic club, who first played in 1886, alive.

But his club enjoyed success on the pitch in the first season after Bill was made chairman, claiming the Cymru Alliance title and promotion to the League of Wales, as well as a first ever victory in the North East Wales Cup. Oswestry lost in the final of League Cup, 1-0 to Welshpool.

Oswestry even recorded a victory over TNS in their debut season in the League of Wales.

However, Bill and his vice chairman Brian Barnfield learned of interest from potential investor Harris, whose club were outgrowing their ground in the village of Llansantfraidd, and a deal was struck for a new club to be formed at Park Hall.

Bill said five years ago: “It’s certainly a different place than it used to be. I was with Oswestry Town until its merger and I still follow them now, although they’re called The New Saints now of course. I don’t miss many matches, home or away."

The New Saints owner Harris said of the news: "What a loss such a lovely man he will be sadly missed by all at the club my thoughts are the family R.I.P Bill."

The club's chief operating officer Ian Williams added: "Really sad to hear the news that Bill has passed away. He was so influential when Oswestry Town moved to Park Hall and was a passionate supporter of our club. My thoughts are with his family and friends RIP Bill."