The late Jim Betts: We have this week received the news that our former team manager, and later Club Chairman and then President, Jim Betts has passed away. Jim was manager of AFC Guildford, as we were then titled, between December 1999 – July 2003, and then Chairman from 2003 – when the club earned its senior status. During his period in charge of team affairs his record was played 117, won 48, drew 28 and lost 41. Later during his time as club chairman from 2003, Jim was heavily involved with his committee in working with the council towards building a suitable home ground that would allow the club to move forward in terms of status. A site on Stoke Park had been identified and together with local entrepreneur Michel Harper a great deal of work was undertaken towards its planning. Hopes were high that an 8,000 capacity ground would be built with add-ons to provide other services. Sadly the planned ground didn’t get past the planning stage due to a fear of traffic congestion, much to the disappointment of Jim and his committee. In 2004 Jim did oversee the club moving back into the Spectrum after a major revamp of pitch and facilities that allowed the club to play in the Combined Counties League Premier Division. After retiring from football Jim moved to Spain to run a bar but returned when the recession started to bite. Jim was a gentle, nice man with a great character and he will be much missed by his family and friends. However Jim would be proud that a part of his legacy is the present club, Guildford City.
