Highly popular Shots Chairman, John McGinty has lost his fight against cancer.Official Shots website, www.theshots.co.uk broke the news on Saturday morning ahead of the clubs League Two fixture against Accrington Stanley saying: "We are sorry to inform supporters of the passing of Chairman John McGinty after a brave and dignified battle with cancer.
John was a supporter of football in Aldershot for over 40 years after arriving from his native Ireland where he made his family home in Alton.
When Aldershot Football Club hit hard times in the early 1990's John was heavily involved in attempting to save the club.
The club was liquidated in March 1992 and new 'Aldershot Town Football Club' was formed. Due to the significant part that John played in trying to rescue the old club he was offered and accepted a Life Member of the new club.
He also became actively involved too and in June 1992 he accepted the position of Director of Aldershot Town Football Club.
John, instantly became a popular figure around the Recreation Ground where his responsibilities included the Social Club, Wally's Bar and to look after visiting Directors on match days. His infectious humour ensured many laughs along the way as John made so many friends within football.
John also had an affection of forging close community links with his main love of ensuring greater relationships between the football club and the British Army. He instigated the ceremony of returning soldiers from Afghanistan in October 2007 held at The Rec. The relationship has grown stronger and stronger in time.
On 6 November 2006 John became the third Chairman of Aldershot Town Football Club following club founder Terry Owens and Karl Prentice. His popularity with the supporters rose in April 2008 as he was the Chairman when the name of Aldershot returned to the Football League. John was also voted Non League Paper Chairman of The Year in the summer of 2008.
John McGinty was totally devoted and committed to Aldershot Town Football Club, its well being and its future. He played a monumental part in ensuring the club is where it is today both personally and professionally and will be sorely missed by everybody at Aldershot Town Football Club."
The thoughts of everybody at Stray Shots Towers are with John's friends and family at this sad time.