Tributes are being paid to one of the North West’s best known footballers and administrators, Johnny Burnside, who died yesterday.
The 72-year-old, who played for Institute, was a founding member of Gransha FC and league secretary of the North West Saturday Morning League for a number of years.
A minute’s silence will be observed before all today’s matches in the Rath Mor Pre-MOT North West Saturday Morning League while a minute’s applause will follow a short appreciation before this afternoon’s Irish League Championship top of the table clash between Institute and Dundela.
Tributes to Johnny have been led by Billy Carlin, PRO for the NWSML.
He said: “Johnny was one of the most affable men you would ever want to meet in the world of football.
“Anyone who came in to contact with Johnny was always left with a lasting impression that they had just maet one of life’s true gentlemen.
“Johnny was also a former Charge Nurse at Gransha Hospital and was much liked by staff and patients alike.”
Johnny not only played and managed Gransha but also played and managed Institute FC where he also served as chairman and vice-chairman.
Johnny is survived by his wife Yvonne and children, Ashley and Allison.
Johnny is been waked at his family home at 2 Hampton Crescent in Kilfennan and his funeral service will be held at 2.00pm tomorrow in Kilfennan Church.
He will be laid to rest immediately afterwards at Ballyoan Cemetery.
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