FOOTBALL teams from around the local area, including Frome Collegians, Frome Town, Frome Town Women, Mells and Vobster, joined together with friends and family of the former Frome Town United coach Sam Oatley at the Critchill Manor clubhouse last month to remember and celebrate his life following his death on Monday 8th January.
Sam joined Frome Town United in 2021 initially to help with the club’s older boys’ group before becoming the assistant coach of the under-seven’s team in 2022.
A Frome Town United spokesperson said, “It was great to see local clubs affiliated with Frome Town United join us in celebrating Sam, and showing their support to his family. There were also teams who Sam had coached against further afield who held a minute’s applause and we all thank them for this.
“Sam was known throughout the club for helping other coaches with any questions they had and he was always able to offer an opinion on things.”
The under-eights coach Chris Edwards, who Sam worked alongside this season, said, “When I think about Sam, I just think he absolutely adored football. He was an Arsenal fan, a coach, a player and each of his three boys played in local teams. Football was a big part of his life and he was either watching, playing or coaching nearly every day of the week.
“He was an indispensable member of our coaching team; he was always coming up with new and exciting games for us to play with our group. He enjoyed refereeing our games and provided the team with lots of encouragement and positive energy. He dedicated and volunteered a lot of his time to coaching and he loved being a part of Frome Town United.
“Sam and I travelled to our away games together and during those times shared in the car I understood what an inspirational family man he was. Everything he did was for others. He was very thoughtful, friendly and kind. I will always remember the times we shared together. We were all lucky to have him for the short time that we did.”
Sam’s family have passed on their thanks to Frome’s footballing community, “Their support and kindness has been overwhelming and a great source of comfort to us during this difficult time.”
Sam’s funeral will be held on Tuesday 6th February at Hill Top Chapel, Haycombe Cemetery and Crematorium, 209 Whiteway Road, Bath, BA2 2RQ. Family flowers only.
If you would like to make a donation to Frome Town United and/or Fair Frome, both of which Sam supported, then visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Frome-Town-United-SO or https://localgiving.org/charity/fairfrome/
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