PAUL FOLEY, 1971-2020
Posted by Brian Spurrell on 10 April 2020
Erith and Belvedere FC is hugely sorry to learn of the death of former player Paul Foley at the age of just 48.
The son of former Charlton manager and Irish international Theo Foley, Paul was born on 6 October 1971 and spent his school summer holidays with his dad at training grounds for the likes of QPR. Ex-Arsenal youth Paul’s CV included Margate, Welling and Fisher before he captained the Deres in 1996-97, debuting in a 2-0 defeat at St Leonards on 21 August 1996. He had the misfortune of scoring a 120th-minute own goal winner in a Cup replay v Barton Rovers, but contributed solidity in defence in the relegation battle and four goals, including a vital 89th-minute equaliser in a 4-4 draw v Newport IOW. The following season, the nomadic campaign either side of the fire, he made fewer appearances but scored in a notable 5-2 win v Waterlooville. He left in February 1998 but returned for a couple of appearances in March 2004. Paul later managed VCD (winning the Kent League title in 2009) and Chatham Town. A chartered surveyor and project manager, Paul co-wrote his father’s autobiography, “Theo, Give Us A Ball”, published in 2017. http://www.apexpublishing.co.uk/PubDetails.aspx?Num=518 . Paul died on 9 April 2020 after suffering with brain cancer for several years. He made 59 starts and 8 sub appearances for Deres, scoring 7 goals.
Paul was diagnosed with a brain stem cell tumour in September 2012. He had six weeks of intensive radiotherapy, followed by two full courses of chemotherapy. Sadly, his condition later deteriorated to the point of severely limited mobility. A benefit match took place for him in June 2017 between two of his former clubs, Maidstone and Ramsgate. Our deepest sympathies to his family and friends at this sad time.
