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THE world of local football has paid tribute to former chairman of Mountjoy United Football Club, Sydney Gilfillan, who suddenly passed away last week.
Mr Gilfillan, 63, served as chairman of Mountjoy for 17 years and attended the club’s 50th anniversary dinner which was held at the beginning of October.
Mountjoy players and officials were joined by representatives from neighbouring clubs for Mr Gilfillan’s funeral service at Mountjoy Presbyterian Church on Sunday.
Among those in attendance was former Mountjoy player and manager and good friend Alan Nesbitt.
Mr Nesbitt said local football had lost a great servant.
“Syd was the father figure of the club,” said Nesbitt.
“Anything that needed to be done, or you needed advice, or anything that you needed, Syd would have sorted it out,” he said.
“He was the first man there. Anything that was on at the club, Syd was there before everyone else and had everything done.
“Any maintenance work that was being done, again he was first with a shovel in his hand.
“For visiting clubs Syd was the first face they saw. He would have had the chat for anybody and he knew everybody in local football, he knew all about other clubs.
“He was a key figure and during his 17 years as chairman there had been a lot of changes at Mountjoy. The ambition was driven by him when he was at the head of the table.”
Mr Nesbitt knew the deceased long before they became engrained in the fabric of Mountjoy FC. Both were natives of Douglas Bridge and went to school together before moving to the Omagh area.
They became lifelong friends and Mr Nesbitt said his old travelling companion to the SuperCupNI will be sadly missed by one and all.
“I knew Syd the best part of 60 years and we were old buddies at the Milk Cup (SuperCupNI),” he continued.
“He stayed with his sister down in Coleraine and I would have lifted him and that week we went here, there and everywhere.
“He was good company and there was always plenty of banter when Syd was around.”
When it came to football Mr Gilfillan had more than one great love.
His other passion was Liverpool FC and the club anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was played as his remains were carried into and out of the church.
FULL STORY IN THURSDAY’S ULSTER HERALD
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