American football reunion will remember Jeanette

The life of Jeanette Gore - one of the driving forces behind an American Football team which ran in Horsham during the ‘90s - will be remembered at a special reunion later this month.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th May 2013, 19:15 BST

Jeanette, a big part in the success story of Horsham Predators, died from pancreatic cancer on March 18 of this year.

Now her husband John and a friend are inviting former players, coaches and people who knew her to come along to Southwater Sports Club, Church Road on Saturday May 25 to help celebrate her life.

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The last Predators reunion, organised by Jeanette in 2007 was a huge success and following an appeal in the West Sussex County Times at the time. Former players travelled from as far as America to attend.

“We are not only inviting former players, coaches and cheerleaders from the club but anyone who knew Jeanette,” John, a former player and later chairman explained. “It’s an open invitation really, and because she requested a small funeral I know not everyone who knew her was able to attend so this will be an opportunity for those people to remember her.”

The Horsham Predators ran for around ten years from the mid ‘80s to mid ‘90s at a time when American Football was at its most popular, with more than 100 clubs across the country.

Along with her husband, Jeanette was a key component in the club’s success, organising everything from team buses to training and matches.

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The last get together six years ago helped the couple reunite with several friends who they had lost contact with after moving around the country and abroad.

One of those, Mette Payne, only found out about the last reunion from the article in the County Times, and having re-established her friendship with the couple is now helping John put together the latest meet-up.

Mette’s husband Steve, who passed away in 2000, played for Predators, and she said: “The first thing I knew about the last reunion was reading it in the West Sussex County Times and it reunited me with so many people I’d lost touch with, including John and Jeanette.

“Even though they moved around a lot they were both incredibly well known in the town and because Jeanette did so much for the club we thought a reunion like this was the most fitting way for people to get together and say their goodbyes.” Those interested in attending can contact John on 07765107137 for details.