31 August 2026
An open letter to Eamonn McGurk

An Open Letter to Eamonn McGurk

Dear Eamonn,

There is a huge amount to admire about what has been achieved at the club, particularly given the challenges Gloucester City has faced over many years. But we believe we have reached a point where there needs to be an honest conversation about the club’s future — and, specifically, whether the time has come for you to consider selling Gloucester City AFC.

This isn’t a call for you to simply walk away. Quite the opposite.

It is a plea to open the door to investment and give the club the opportunity to realise its enormous potential.

Gloucester City is a football club representing a city of more than 150,000 people, with a proud history, a passionate supporter base and a huge amount of untapped commercial potential. We have businesses, supporters and people across Gloucestershire who want to see the club thrive.

But turning that potential into reality requires investment.

And investment is difficult to attract when there is no clear route for prospective investors to acquire a meaningful stake in the club or take ownership.

That is why we are asking you to consider putting Gloucester City AFC up for sale, or at the very least publicly signalling that you are prepared to enter into discussions with credible potential buyers and investment groups.

Let the market decide what the club is worth.

There may be individuals, businesses, supporters and consortiums who would be prepared to put significant money into Gloucester City — perhaps considerably more than many people realise. But they need an opportunity to come forward.

A formal sale process would allow those people to make themselves known.

It would also allow you to choose the right successor.

That is important, because this should not be about finding anyone willing to buy the club. It should be about finding people who share the ambition to build something sustainable at Gloucester City.

Imagine what could happen if the club had access to serious investment:

There is also an opportunity here to create something genuinely special: a club owned and supported by a combination of local business, private investment and supporters, with a long-term vision rather than simply a short-term objective.

We believe there are people willing to explore exactly that model, but they cannot do it without a conversation.

So our request is simple:

Please consider putting Gloucester City AFC on the market.

If you are not ready to commit to a sale, then at least open a confidential dialogue with credible parties who want to explore investment or acquisition.

Give them the opportunity to present their plans, give supporters the opportunity to understand what the future could look like, and give Gloucester City AFC the opportunity to attract the investment it needs to move forward.

Whatever happens, you will have played an important part in the club’s story. But perhaps the greatest legacy you could leave would be to help create the conditions for Gloucester City to reach heights that have previously seemed impossible.

This isn’t about attacking the current ownership. It isn’t about pretending that running a football club is easy. And it certainly isn’t about underestimating what has already been done. It is about recognising that the next chapter may require a different approach.

Gloucester City has spent too long fighting simply to survive. Now is the time to start thinking about how we can thrive.

There are people who want to invest. There are businesses that want to get behind the club. There are supporters who want to contribute. There is a city that deserves a successful football club. And there is potentially a group of people who would be prepared to put their money, time and expertise behind a serious plan for the future.

All we are asking is that you give them a chance to come forward.

Open the door.

Start the conversation.

Put the club up for sale.

And let’s see what is possible.

For Gloucester City AFC, for its supporters, and for the future of football in our city.

Yours sincerely,

The undersigned

137
signatures
115 verified
  1. Ellis Woodland
  2. Dean James
  3. Matthew Phillips, Engineer, Gloucester
  4. Alex Odurny, Gloucester
  5. Liam Bearcroft, Materials Scientist, Lydney
  6. James Jackson, Gloucester
  7. Dominic Squires, Gloucester
  8. Charlie Hughes, Gloucester
  9. John H, Gloucester
  10. Mark East, Religious scholar, Kabul
  11. josh
  12. Nick Bailey, Gloucester
  13. Rob Woodland, Director, Gloucester
  14. andrew roberts
  15. Chris W, Gloucester
  16. Michael, Gloucester
  17. Dom, Gloucester
  18. Rhys, Gloucester
  19. Sophie, , Gloucester
  20. Grant Yardley, Worcester
  21. Jimmy Speller, Gloucester
  22. Rich, Gloucester
  23. Steve yardley
  24. TalkOfTheCountyPodcast, Podcast, Gloucestershire
  25. anonymous
  26. Rob Northcott, Gloucester
  27. Adam Kiely, RAF, The Forest
  28. Michael Titley, Retired, Gloucester City, Northampton
  29. Dave Monaghan
  30. Duncan Edwards, Retired, Gloucester
  31. Matt, Director, Gloucester
  32. Eamonn Mcgurk, Football club owner, Gloucester
  33. Mark Foote, Quality Inspector, Gloucester
  34. Matt B, Gloucester
  35. Paul Hopkins, Stroud
  36. Andrew R, Gloucester
  37. Dan W, Gloucester
  38. Matt
  39. Joe, Gloucester
  40. David Greenwood, Retired, NA, Gloucester
  41. Adam Parker, Retired, Gloucester
  42. Matt K, Gloucester
  43. Paul
  44. Tom Thurston, Stonehouse
  45. Matt G, Gloucester
  46. Neil meredith, GLOUCESTER
  47. Matthew clift, Engineering manager, Bedford
  48. Jason powick, Gloucester
  49. Andy Thommo Thompson, Retired, Want to see it happen before I drop off the perch!!, Gloucester
  50. Ally MacLean
  51. Dave Parker, London
  52. Claire, Accountant, Gloucester
  53. Adam Whitmore, Gloucester
  54. anonymous
  55. Trevor yates, Gloucester
  56. Steve White, Retired, Lazy Days, Solihull
  57. Lewie
  58. Ade white, Gloucester
  59. Kevin Howie, Gloucester
  60. Geoff
  61. Ian Rodway, Cinderford
  62. Dave J
  63. Adam, Gloucester
  64. Ray w, GLOUCESTER
  65. Simon M, Gloucester
  66. Paul Clark, Gloucester
  67. Al Smith, IT, IT, Gloucester
  68. Richard Ellis, Gloucester
  69. anonymous
  70. Darr Vaughan, DMVSAMEDAY
  71. Dr R J F Byrne, Retired, Club Doctor to Gloucester City AFC 1988-2013, Gloucester
  72. mike, retired, supporter since longlevens days, Gloucester
  73. Ian
  74. David, Retired, Gloucester
  75. Gareth, Retail, Gloucester
  76. Charles Windsor III, King, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  77. Tim A, Retired, Cheltenham
  78. Rich, Retired, Gloucester
  79. Drew, Gloucester
  80. RK Price, Internal Auditor, Gloucester
  81. Nick Spiers, Gloucester
  82. T Weir, Gloucester
  83. Dave Jones, Training Consultant, Gloucester
  84. Jacqueline, GCC
  85. Jonathan McDonnell, Manager, ., Gloucester
  86. Robin, Retired
  87. Jon H, Gloucester
  88. anonymous
  89. Trevor King, Payroll Manager, Gloucester
  90. Mike Jackson, Gloucester
  91. Ed, Office, Gloucester
  92. Jordan cush, Landscaper, Landscaping, Gloucester
  93. Andrew Hillier, Retired, Gloucester
  94. Jamie Reid, Gloucester
  95. Gemma Lloyd, Gloucester
  96. Rob birch, Manager, County council, Gloucester
  97. anonymous, Vince lover
  98. Deano B, Beer taster, -, Gloucester
  99. Lee Mills
  100. Daniel Saturley, GLOS
  101. Mark Davidson, Gloucester
  102. Matt Bowman, Gloucester
  103. Leon England, Lydney
  104. Adam Newport, GLOUCESTER
  105. Tom S, Gloucester
  106. Ethan, GLOUCESTER
  107. AC, Lydney
  108. Sam Shanks, Farrier
  109. Andrew Cook, Cinderford
  110. Graham T, Retired, Gloucester
  111. Richard Gore, Gloucester
  112. Dr. Heath Brewer, Wade
  113. David Preece, Bristol
  114. ADR Ian davis, Retired
  115. David M, Gloucester