Before kick-off tomorrow afternoon, we ask you to join us in a minute’s applause in memory of former Chairman Kris Machala, who passed away at the age of 60 on Wednesday 27 December.
We are also pleased to welcome Kris’s former wife Anna and son Dom to the EBB Stadium today.
Kris became a Director of the Club in February 2009, and was appointed Chairman in June 2010, a role he held until February 2013. He had moved from Poland to England in 1981, to pursue his career as a civil engineer, and lived around Surrey and Hampshire for over 30 years. Following a short period living in Japan, Kris returned to Poland in September 2017.
Diagnosed as diabetic several years ago, upon his return to Krakow last year Kris was immediately admitted to hospital and spent six weeks in an Intensive Care Unit for treatment on a severe kidney infection, until his passing last month.
“We were extremely sad to hear of his passing,” said Chairman Shahid Azeem. “Kris was in charge of the Club during a very difficult period, and donated lots of his own time, effort and money to help move the Club forward.
“We again send our condolences and best wishes to his family, and are pleased that Anna, Dom and Chris will be part of tomorrow afternoon’s memorial.”
As mark of respect, all players wore black armbands in our New Year’s Day fixture against Woking. The Club was represented at Kris’s funeral, held in Warsaw on Wednesday 3 January, with a Memorial Service also planned for Friday 23 February at 11am, at Holy Trinity Church on Victoria Road. All supporters are invited to attend.
