Jon Gittens was a former player for Southampton FC and Portsmouth FC and held various other roles in football including manager of Fareham Town FC, Hampshire FA Girls Centre of Excellence Director and FA Coach Educator. On Sunday, 17 April 2022, there will be a charity football match organised to take place at the Cams Alders Stadium (Fareham Town FC) to raise money in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Jon was a positive role model for so many people involved in the game and was a pioneer in coach education. Jon was also a leading voice on equality, diversity and inclusion and was committed to providing opportunities in football for all.

Before he started his coaching journey, Jon represented Swindon Town, Southampton, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Torquay United and Exeter City during a 15-year professional playing career. Playing as a central defender, he scored a crucial goal to help Middlesbrough seal promotion to the Premier League in 1992.

Through his work, Jon championed inclusivity and acted as a mentor and role model for the next generation of coaching talent from diverse ethnic communities. Since his passing in 2019, The FA has celebrated Jon’s achievements in football, and his legacy in coach education. The FA recognised Jon’s outstanding achievements in the game with the opening of The Jon Gittens Pitch at St Georges Park, England Football’s training base at Burton.

In memory of Jon and as a reminder of his ongoing legacy, a former team mate, Bjay Green, has organised a charity football match at the Cams Alders Stadium in Fareham to raise money in aid of Cancer Research UK. The details of the match can be found below:

📅 SUNDAY 17th APRIL 2022
🕑 2PM KO
🆚 Fareham Town FC (who played under Jon’s management) vs Ex-Professionals (who played with Jon during his career)
🏟 Cams Alders Stadium, Fareham Town FC

Bjay is appealing for any local businesses to kindly donate any raffle prizes. If your business can donate a prize to support the cause, please contact Bjay via the contact button on the link below.

You can also find the fundraising page, with a target of £1000, below. Any donation will be of massive help to the cause:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/charityfootball-match-in-memeory-of-john-gittens