In what has already been a very sad week for the Glentoran Family, everyone at Glentoran Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of one of the most familiar and best loved people at the club. Brian Waters.
While best known as Ruth McCreery’s sidekick in the Glentoran Superstore over many years, Brian in 1996 was a founder member of the Internet Glentoran Supporters Club, the club behind both the launch of the Superstore as we know it, and of the official club website.
In the Internet Club Brian served a number of roles over the years, including as Chairman. But he will be best known for his legendary exploits as club bus steward for many years and he loved his many European trips with the club to follow his beloved Glens.
Brian became Aubry Ralph’s wingman in the Superstore, where he maintained his fantastic rapport with every Glentoran supporter, right up until our most recent home game earlier this month. He also worked tirelessly with his friends in the “Monday Club”, a small group of retired guys who come in the Monday after every home game to clean the Oval up (among many other jobs).
He also caused constant hilarity on the many occasions a Glentoran Manager would walk into the Milk Bar for a coffee only for Brian to immediately hit him with "here, what's so and so still doing in the team?" or suchlike. Only Brian would have done it or could have done it without anyone falling out with him.
Brian, originally from Ballyhackamore, was the most committed of Glenmen and he was one of the small group of volunteers the club simply couldn't function without.
Glentoran FC Chairman Ian Kerr said of Brian: “Brian was great servant of the club and a wonderful character who will be sorely missed by everyone at the club. Rest in peace Brian and deepest condolences to his family and many friends..”
Brian with his son Aaron (right) and Glens player Rory Hamill celebrate a League Championmship victory in the Park Avenue Hotel
Former Glentoran Chairman Aubry Ralph spoke to www.glentoran.com about his memories of his old friend: “The words character and legend are so easily thrown around nowadays but if ever there was a man who thoroughly deserved both at Glentoran it was Brian Waters. Big Brain Mr Arkwright of the Glentoran Souvenir Shop .He could sell sand to the Arabs not to mention ballots to all and sundry. He was the salt of the earth, a true Glenman and a great friend. He loved the banter and if you ever needed anything doing he was your go to man. A scourge of Referees and Linesmen everywhere he went following his beloved Glens. A founder member of the Internet Glentoran Supporters Club and a veteran Bus Steward for fixtures all around the country. He leaves behind a massive void and will be fondly remembered by all who knew him, RIP Brian.”
The last word goes to Brian’s very close friend, Ruth McCreery: “At every turn of my life I have come across many great friends, but none like my “Arkwright”. I knew Brian through our association with the Internet GSC but it wasn’t until I joined him and Aubry in the Superstore in 2002 (he often said I was only there to clean and make tea) that our friendship grew into an “unsaid love”. A million words wouldn’t be enough to tell our story but yesterday I lost my “go to”, the arms that so often held me when I needed strength, the voice of reason (though not on matchdays!) and my forever friend.
A few weeks ago, before we knew Brian was unwell, he said to me “this is getting too much, I’m only here because you’re here and because I love you so much.” I replied “ditto.”
Rest in Peace my beloved friend. You are forever in my heart...”
The club sends deep condolences to the family of this great club servant – his daughter Julie, sons Peter and Aaron, his four grandchildren and the rest of the family circle.
A Celebration of Brian’s Life will take place on Thursday 13th April in St Gall’s Church, Carnalea at 1.30pm, followed by committal in Roselawn Crematorium at 3.20pm.
Family flowers only please, donations in memory of Brian, if desired may be made online to MacMillan cancer Support via his MuchLoved tribute page @ johngrayfuneraldirectors.com.
Le jeu avant tout.
