Brentford Football Club is saddened to announce the death of Christopher Ramsey. He passed away on Wednesday 1 October after a battle with bowel cancer.

Chris joined Brentford in June 2023 as academy professional development phase (PDP) goalkeeping coach before being promoted to head of academy goalkeeping in July 2024.

In his time with us, he played a vital role in the restart of the Academy, working closely with players and staff to help establish the culture and standards that will shape the future of Brentford.

Growing up in Western Australia, the dream of working in English professional football seemed a world away for Chris. But he moved to the UK in 2009 and dedicated himself to both playing and coaching. From Chelsea Foundation and Fulham to Brentford, his story was one of relentless perseverance, learning, and a passion for developing young goalkeepers.

At Brentford, Chris quickly became far more than a coach. Players and staff speak of someone who was not only deeply knowledgeable and committed to his craft, but also a caring, generous and supportive figure who built meaningful relationships with everyone he worked alongside.

His approach to goalkeeping was as much about partnership and trust as it was about technique, reflecting his humility and the respect he had for his players.

It is no surprise that Chris left such a lasting impression in such a short space of time. His influence on the young goalkeepers, his colleagues, and the Academy as a whole cannot be overstated.

He brought with him not only expertise but also warmth, humour, and an unwavering dedication to helping others succeed.

During his time at Brentford, he worked with goalkeepers from first-team level downwards. He built a strong relationship with first-team goalkeeping coach Manu Sotelo and helped develop our cohort of Premier League keepers. He ensured that the work being done to prepare goalkeepers for Premier League action was replicated at the youngest age levels, building a pathway for the future.

Interim academy director Jamie Greenwood said: “Chris was a great man, leaving a lasting impression on everyone he came into contact with. Goalkeeping was his passion, and he had such a positive impact on both players and staff.

“His character and work will live on through our young goalkeepers and coaches.”

Director of football Phil Giles added: “Not only was Chris an important addition to our Academy at a time when we were building towards Category 2 status, he was a great support for Manu in the first team.

“Our fans may not realise the work he did here, and the important role he played helping Mark Flekken, Hákon Valdimarsson and our other goalkeepers in the last couple of seasons.

“We are incredibly saddened by his passing, but it is a moment in which we can also remember and acknowledge an excellent coach, a much-appreciated member of staff and, more importantly, a fantastic person.”

Chris will be remembered as a coach who gave everything to his players, as a colleague who made people feel valued, and as a man whose warmth and kindness shone through in everything he did.

We will pay tribute to him at our Premier League match against Manchester City on Sunday. There will be a commemoration before kick-off and our players will wear black armbands. Many of his family, friends and colleagues will be in attendance.

His passing will also be marked with a period of silence and laying of floral tributes at our Academy games this weekend.

Our thoughts are with Chris’s loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.

May you rest in peace, Chris.