Name: Gill Shepherd

Age: 66

Where were you born and raised?

Tickhill

Where do you live?

Branton

What supporters’ groups are you affiliated to?

Viking Supporters Co-operative

Tell us about your background

I was sports mad growing up and went through school wanting to be a PE teacher before realising that it wasn't really the teaching I wanted but the PE. So when I left school I went into banking with NatWest - the obvious second choice really!  Sport continued and I played competitive basketball, badminton, squash, cricket, hockey and football. I also enjoyed rock climbing for a couple of years. After about 15 years in branch banking, I resigned and went off travelling for two-and-a-half years, doing lots of temporary jobs en route to fund my travels. I spent 15 months in New Zealand where I played numerous sports including soccer. When I returned to the UK in 1992 I joined HSBC as a project manager in Sheffield. I worked on many varied projects in HSBC until 2011 when I was fortunate enough to take early retirement. I now spend much of my time walking, golfing, tripping off in our caravan and obviously watching Rovers.

How long have you supported Rovers?

I was taken to my first game aged five with my mum and dad who were passionate Rovers - and Belles - supporters. My mum was still going to home and away games until she died aged 92. Unlike many people, I'm afraid I can't tell you who we played or what the score was. I do remember standing down by the wall at the front of the Rosso End at Belle Vue with all the other young kids, proudly wearing my Rovers scarf and swinging my red and white painted rattle like there was no tomorrow.

Who is your all-time favourite Rovers player?

Difficult to choose just one player so I'll go with James Coppinger because of what he brought as a player and a person.

Where do you sit at the Eco-Power Stadium?

East Stand

How long have you been part of the Supporters/Shadow Board?

Since about 2016/17

Why are you part of the Shadow Board?

I'm proud of my club. We have been ahead of the game in so many ways and continue to be so with our transition to a Shadow Board. So many clubs, many in higher divisions than us, look at how we do things and use us as a benchmark.  
I am on the Shadow Board to have a voice and be instrumental in challenging how our club is run. It’s the easiest thing in the world to be critical of decisions but as a Shadow Board member I have the chance to work closely with the club and listen to all the reasoning before debating and delivering my considered opinion. We work as a team and everyone has a voice. We don’t always agree but always manage to come to a consensus. As supporters we all love our club and want the same success and to do that we all need to pull together. The Shadow Board are just regular supporters wanting the best for our club.