CLUB STATEMENT: BRIAN CANNON

CLUB STATEMENT: BRIAN CANNON

It is with immense personal sadness that I learned of the sudden and unexpected passing yesterday morning of Brian Cannon at his home in Scotland aged 60.

Undoubtedly, Brian was one of the Club’s all-time legends and quite simply just a great bloke. I will never forget when Brian at the age of just 15 came to one of the very first training sessions for the newly formed ‘A-Side during the late 1970s and rather shyly asked me if he could play for the Club. From there on in there was nothing shy about when he played football and in that sense, he was following in the footsteps of his dad Paddy who player for the Club in the late 1960s.

Brian was an outstanding central defender who combined skill with grit, determination and a winning mentality. He played first-team football for the club during the early 1980s and was part of the squad under Dave Bullock who won the Herts Charity Shield. He would have no doubt played many more games but for a debilitating illness which prevented his progress.  Nevertheless, he did bounce back and began to become involved in coaching and managing at both youth and reserve team levels before being appointed as first-team manager with Mark Saggers in 2005-06.  Unfortunately, things did not go well, with Brian’s passion for the game occasionally leading him as he so neatly put it as ‘not being the best of friends with referees’. However, to their great credit, Brian and Mark helped the Club avoid relegation but they did not continue in the roles in the following season.

 

Brian was a big personality and I’m sure along with many others we will always remember his infectious laughter and sense of optimism he brought when he was around.

On behalf of everyone at Royston Town, I offer our heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends and in particular to his lovely wife Caroline and son Ryan.

RIP Brian

Alan Barlow

President