Gordon [GD] Swinton

The Evo-Stik NPL is saddened to hear of the passing of former league management committee member, ex Vice President and Life Member Gordon (GD) Swinton aged 99.

A Football League referee in the 1950s, Gordon was a stalwart of Stafford Rangers, becoming a director in their Cheshire League days and serving as vice chairman during the 1970’s. This was one of Rangers’ most successful periods in their history, winning the FA Trophy three times and reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Gordon was also well known throughout football for his work as an administrator. Appointed as secretary of the Mid Staffordshire Football League in 1951, he stepped up to become chairman of the league in 1961 for nine years and was then president from 1974 to 1985.

Having served as an NPL league management committee member, in 1979 he became a founder member of the inaugural Alliance Premier League (now the Football Conference) management committee. He served the Conference for over 20 years, and was made a Life Member of that competition on his retirement in 1999. The NPL had similarly recognised Gordon’s long service to non-league football seven years earlier, in 1992.

Despite moving to Cornwall, Gordon was a regular attendee at NPL Presentation Dinners until the early 2000’s.