FaST Go International!

Farnborough Supporters Trust are happy to confirm we are able to accept international members. Our first international member is Jeffrey Roy from Canada (pictured above). To celebrate our new overseas connection we caught up with Jeffrey to discover more about what made him choose Farnborough FC and FaST as his team and trust of choice.

First of all please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

My name is Jeffrey Roy. I live in Halifax, the capital of the province of Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada. My journey began on June 13, 1962, as the only child of Ruby & Milford Roy. I obtained Bachelors in Arts (Major French), Education & Physical Education from Dalhousie University and a Master of Divinity from the Atlantic School of Theology, both in Halifax. After many years as a substitute teacher in public and private schools, I served in several churches first as a layperson and then as an ordained minister. From 2014 to 2020 I worked the front desk at a local fitness club.

How did you first discover Farnborough Football Club?

My life took a challenging turn beginning in early 2019. My mother was living with Parkinson’s Disease, and her condition began to get worse. After my father passed from cancer in late 2021 my role as caregiver became more demanding. After an almost 10-week stay in hospital, she passed this past January 6. As of writing, I am still working on paperwork for the government on her behalf. My focus has shifted to helping my mother’s sister, who recently turned 94. I have recently begun remote work as a Proofreader. I also have a significant ESL role at home, as my wife is from Latvia and her native language is Russian.

What made you want to become a FaST Member?

I feel humbled and honoured to be your first member from Canada. With the support of the Board, I will do what I can to raise the profile of the Trust and club in this part of the world.

I have followed non-league football in England for many years. I spent much time trying to find a club that has a Supporters’ Club and/or Trust. I wanted to find one that is active and had options for joining. I was delighted to discover the Farnborough FC Supporters’ Trust website.

Several things motivated me to want to become part of the Trust. I am very inspired by the goal of supporting the club as a unified group. There is too much negativity and division in society, and we can push back with a positive way of functioning. It meant a lot that (Board Member) Luke made the effort to contact me and made the time for a meeting on Zoom. The honour of being your first Canadian member was unexpected news but very humbling and appreciated. I will have that distinction with me for the rest of my life. I welcome the opportunity to serve the Trust and club in this part of the world.

How do you keep up-to-date with the teams results?

I keep up with the results and news of the club on the club’s website and Soccerway.

Do you have any plans to visit to see a game in person?

At this time I have no plans to visit in person, however, I hope to tune in to Farnborough FC Radio as often as I can, when it resumes broadcasting.

What’s the current state of football in Canada and has both the mens and women’s teams reaching the most recent world cups in 2022 and 2023 had a positive impact in elevating the sport?

There are some positives happening in Canadian football. The question is very timely, as my local professional club, the Halifax Wanderers, has announced the formation of a new women’s club. It will begin play in a new league called League 1 Atlantic. Here is a link to the story. The success of the men’s national team is reflected in the formation of the Wanderers in 2018. It competes in the Canadian Premier League and attracts between 5000-6000 fans for each home match. The Canadian Premier League is roughly equivalent to the Championship in England. The top league in North America is Major League Soccer, with Canadian clubs in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. I am confident in stating that the sport is on the upswing in Canada, including in my region.

Do you support any teams closer to home?

Other than the Halifax Wanderers, I do not support other clubs in Canada or the U.S., however I remain open to finding some!

FaST thanks Jeffrey for his time and look forward to building a longstanding connection with Farnborough FC’s growing North American fanbase.

No matter where in the world you are based, you can sign up to be a FaST member through our MemberMojo platform. Click the button below and simply fill out your information. We’d also love to hear from you if and discover the story behind your affiliation to the club so please get in touch!