Tonbridge Angels are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Gerry Francis, who died over the weekend in Ontario, Canada aged 91.

Gerry is, and will always be, a significant figure in the history of Tonbridge Football Club, later to become Tonbridge Angels. 

Gerry, who was born in Johannesburg, came to England in 1957 to join Leeds United where he played alongside Elland Road legends, John Charles, Billy Bremner and Jack Charlton.

After four seasons at Leeds, making 52 appearances and scoring nine goals, Gerry moved on to York City for a single season in 1961 where he played 16 times.

In 1962 he moved south to Tonbridge and in a three year spell, that he described as his “happiest time in Britain”, the fleet-footed winger delighted the Angel Ground supporters making 174 appearances and scoring 61 goals. During his time with the Angels, the club won the Kent Senior Cup in 1965 beating Bexley in the Final and the Kent Floodlight Cup and Kent Senior Shield in 1964.

Interviewed by Matt Davison in 2017, Gerry said of his time at Tonbridge: "I didn't know where the hell it was. I'd never heard of Tonbridge. Harry Haslam, the manager, said come over and bring your wife and then you can make your mind up. There was John Kilford, Joe Carolan from Man United, Alan Shackleton from Burnley. They all came from big clubs.

"I don't think Harry had played at the top level, but he could listen. You could go and talk to him. We would go to his house, and the club had big directors. He had the directors just like him. It was like a bunch of players. At most clubs you didn't really know who the directors were. Not at Tonbridge. It was all part of one club.

"At Leeds we had four or five trainers. But at Tonbridge we didn't have any. Harry let us train ourselves. We would come in, one day I would take over, then Joe would take over, and Harry would look at us through the window of his office. He was in there busy making money for us. He put a lot into it, but best of all he put a lot of love into it."

Gerry, pictured with his captain, the late Joe Carolan, on a visit back in 2001, lived in Ontario, Canada with his wife of over 60 years, Gloria.

Following the passing of Freddie Morris in November 2023, we believe that Gerry became the oldest living former player of Tonbridge Angels.

A wonderful piece on Gerry was produced by Backpass magazine in 2012 and reproduced in Up There Cazaly and can be read HERE. 

We know that this news will provoke many fond memories among our older fanbase of a truly great player and a really nice man. Our thoughts are with Gloria and Gerry’s family at this extremely sad time to whom we offer our sincere condolences.

Gerry's funeral will take place on Monday, 19th May at 18.00 British Summer Time and will be lived streamed. Registration is required can be made HERE

A Book of Condolence has been opened and can be signed HERE