It is with the saddest of hearts that Glentoran Football Club pays tribute to our long serving and much-loved Team Doctor, Dr Chris Kyle, who has passed away following a period of illness.
Dr Kyle provided his time, support and expertise to the club over many years and was a reassuring sight in the Glentoran dugout home, away and across Europe. Even in his final weeks he worked with the players and was always available to provide support, advice and wisdom. Such was his love for Glentoran and those within the club.
Glentoran FC Chairman Ian Kerr said of Dr Kyle: “Dr Chris Kyle was a wonderful servant of our club. His service to Glentoran even when he wasn't well is a wonderful testament to the man. It was a privilege to know him. Everyone at the Glentoran family wish to pass on our sincere condolences to the Kyle family. A great man lost to us.
Glentoran Academy Manager, playing legend and all-time record appearance maker Colin Nixon spoke to www.glentoran.com about his memories of Dr Kyle: “I was devastated when I received the sad news from his son that Dr Chris Kyle had passed away this morning. Chris was the very best of us. A man who I deeply respected and cherished the friendship we had. Never judgemental but always only caring and compassionate, Chris truly was one in a million. His loss will be Glentoran’s loss as his duty of care to all at the club but especially the players will never be replaced. It will be extremely hard not to see him in our dugout. My thoughts and prayers are with all of his family at this time and can only imagine the heartbreak they are feeling. God bless Doc.”
Colin’s emotions will be shared by the hundreds of Glentoran players who were lucky enough to benefit from Dr Kyle’s care, counsel and friendship over his lengthy tenure at the Bet McLean Oval. Each of them will have his own personal story about the Doc.
The club sends deep condolences to the family of this great servant to Glentoran at this most sorrowful of times. To his wife Sharon.son Tom, daughters Jane, Rose and Jenny and his beloved grandchildren.
Dr Kyle’s funeral service will be in Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church on Friday 21st April at 11am.
