A tribute to Brentford’s chaplain Stuart Cashman, who died on Tuesday 28 November after a long battle with illness.

“I’m here for all faiths or none,” said Stuart Cashman in an interview for Brentford’s match programme, shortly after he joined as chaplain in September 2016.

“I look to help people because football - like any walk of life, but perhaps more intensely so – is a place full of ups and downs.

“It doesn’t matter to me whether people believe in God or not - if I can help them I will. While I’m a Christian minister, I’m there for anyone who wants to talk.”

It’s fair to say that Stuart was true to his word. On Thursdays, he would appear at Brentford’s Jersey Road training ground and spend time with the club’s players and staff.

A great listener, Stuart had some remarkable conversations over a cup of coffee. He was a kind, caring and empathetic man who instantly put people at ease.

He was a comfort to all following the sudden and tragic death of Brentford’s technical director Robert Rowan in November 2018, hosting a memorial service at Griffin Park.

Stuart was full of wisdom, which is no surprise given the life he led.

Born in Galashiels in the Scottish borders, at 13 he was sent to boarding school 400 miles away in Bath, before studying at Trinity College, Oxford, where he graduated with a first-class degree in chemistry in 1995.

In stark contrast to the career path he eventually forged, Stuart began his time in London developing toothpaste.

Seven years later, he moved on to Duke Street Church, Richmond, and for nearly nine years served as their associate minister. It was during this time that Stuart met his wife, Meriel.

Stuart and Meriel spent two and a half years in the USA, where he obtained a Master of Divinity from the Covenant Theological Seminary in St Louis, Missouri.

Coincidently, Stuart and Meriel’s daughter Zoë was born in the mid-west of America, while their son Joel was born in the West Mid Hospital, Isleworth.

In May 2016, Stuart was sent to plant Immanuel Church Brentford by the International Presbyterian Church of Ealing, where he had served as associate pastor. Stuart served Immanuel Church as pastor.

Stuart fought hard to stay well for as long as he was able, and over the years overcame many life-threatening illnesses to be a devoted husband, father and friend.

He will be sorely missed by all at Brentford; our thoughts are with Meriel, Zoë and Joel.