The Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust has announced that Paul Corkrey is to stand down from his position as Chairman with immediate effect as a result of medical advice.
A 51 year-old former coal miner from Treharris who lost his right leg in an accident at Taff Merthyr colliery in 1978, Paul has been advised by his consultant to minimize his involvement in the Trust following a recent deterioration in his physical condition.
Corky, as Paul is better-known, acted as Secretary of the Valley RAMS supporters’ club between 2001 and 2006 before founding the Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust in 2007. A lifelong Bluebirds fanatic, he also serves as the Secretary of FSF Cymru, which is the Welsh branch of the national Football Supporters’ Federation.
CCST Vice-Chairman Tim Hartley led the tributes to Paul, saying: “On behalf of the board, I would like to place on record our sincere thanks for the incredible amount of work Corky has put into the Trust over the last couple of years.
“Paul was the man who got things started in November 2007 when he called the initial meeting aimed at setting up a trust for Cardiff City supporters, and since then he has been tireless in his efforts to help the organisation become properly established. He has done a wonderful job for the fans of our club throughout the last nine years, so hopefully he will now enjoy a well-deserved break.”
Membership Secretary Dave Sugarman added: “Corky is very disappointed at having to step down, but obviously his health must come first. He’s become a good friend to a great many Bluebirds fans over the years and his unique brand of leadership will be sorely missed by everyone involved in the Trust.
“Having said that, I know Paul is a very firm believer in the supporters’ trust movement and he’s rightly proud of what our trust has managed to achieve so far, so I’m sure he’ll be involved again in some capacity once he’s had a rest and regained his strength.”