A ROAD in Redditch is to have its name changed in tribute to the much-loved vice-chairman of Redditch United Football Club.
The address of the Valley Stadium is being changed from Bromsgrove Road to Sallie Swan Street in memory of Mrs Swan, who died in April after a long battle with cancer.
The move was agreed at the Executive Council meeting on Tuesday (September 13), where councillors said they were happy to approve a request for the change.
Sallie, the wife of Redditch United chairman Chris, was an extremely popular figure at the stadium and the change of street name in her memory has been approved by her family and her husband
Mr Swan said: “Sallie was absolutely instrumental in helping to turn the club around, and her tremendous energy and enthusiasm really kept us all going.
“Without her, the club would not be what it is today.
“Having this road named after her is a fitting tribute to a wonderful woman and I am very pleased that councillors have taken this course of action.
“It means a lot to me and my family.”
Leader of the Council Bill Hartnett said: “Ordinarily, there is a wait of around three to five years after the death of an individual before memorialising them with a street name.
“However, there was a set of unique circumstances in this case, and with Mr Swan’s and the family’s assurance, we were all happy to vote in favour of this change.”
“I was approached personally by a member of the public about Sallie, who did a great deal of good work for the town alongside her husband Chris, and I am sure this will be a lasting and respectful tribute to Sallie and the good work she did for the town and for the club.”
Unconventionally, the committee was asked to allow the road to be named after a person not currently on the list of approved names, but was more than happy to oblige in view of the commitment Mrs Swan gave during her lifetime supporting the town’s football club.
Only the football club address will be affected by this change and a funding source for any new signage and installation costs will be found before any work is carried out.
