Heroes from the 1960s - John Duff, Peter Goring and Roger Vanstone

Whilst the 1960s was the least successful decade for Rovers in terms of silverware, the fruits of the Supporters Club’s labours were bearing fruit.  Stan White, Peter Vick and Ron Davis oversaw the construction of a  new grandstand, opened in 1965, and the long campaigned for County League came in to existence in 1968 just the new Sports and Social Club (again funded by the Supporters Club) more than tripled the revenue available for players expenses.

 

John Duff had first played for Rovers in the 1950s and returned from South Africa in 1962 to play for them again. In 1968, at the end of his playing career, he became chairman and oversaw the appointment of Peter Goring as manager. Peter was well respected in the game and won many honours with Arsenal playing at number 6. He had returned to Gloucestershire and expressed an interest in moving Forest Green Rovers on to a higher level of competition. Over his 11 years as manager he moved Forest Green Rovers out of County Football and set the upward flight of the next forty years in motion.

 

John Duff stayed at the Club as Chairman for 22 years and is now Vice-President, and has now been associated with Rovers either as a player or official for more than fifty years. During his tenure Rovers leapt from County Football to the Southern League and picked up the FA Vase on the way. He set a benchmark for ambition for future generations.

 

Continuing a tradition of goalkeeping excellence at the club Roger Vanstone joined Rovers, where his two brother Brian and Malcolm were also playing, and stayed at Rovers for the majority of the decade despite trials at League Clubs such as Swindon Town and Aston Villa.