harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,418 
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Post by harrybuckle on Sept 17, 2020 21:21:01 GMT
Former Rovers super fan and youth development officer and CEO Gordon Bennett has died today. He worked many eyears in pro football at Rovers Norwich City. He was Secretary at West Bromwich Albion and Aberdeen most recent years worked at Plymouth Argyle.
In his latter years organised football programme and memorabilia fairs throughout the West Country most recently at the Mem in March.
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JeffNZ
Administrator
Jimmy Morgan
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,451
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Post by JeffNZ on Sept 17, 2020 21:36:18 GMT
Very fond memories of Gordon. Condolences to his family.
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Post by lostinspace on Sept 17, 2020 21:41:57 GMT
Was he one of the jumping ship brigade in our Eastville to Twerton era? Along with Bradshaw and Flook? not a very nice thing say at this time... poor show |
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2020 22:55:36 GMT
Yeah, o2; are you sure you want to keep that one up, mate?
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Post by Curly Wurly on Sept 18, 2020 1:24:27 GMT
I didn't know Gordon in his Superfan days in the 1960s, but I can vouch for the fact that he worked tirelessly to keep the wheels turning at Rovers when we really didn't have two pennys to rub together.
I didn't know he ended up at Plymouth, but it is interesting to read the comments to Argyles tweet, showing the high esteem Gordon was held in there and throughout the country.
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TaiwanGas
Paul Bannon
Tom Ramasuts Left Foot.
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 1,337
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Post by TaiwanGas on Sept 18, 2020 2:30:38 GMT
Condolences to Gordon's family, Embedded in Rovers history and will not be forgotten, RIP super Gashead..
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crater
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 1,444
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Post by crater on Sept 18, 2020 6:07:30 GMT
I won a competition at school to get free tickets to a game and a guided tour of Eastville.
I still remember Gordon giving us the tour and saying next is the trophy room this won't take long
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Post by o2o2bo2ba on Sept 18, 2020 7:04:47 GMT
Apologies for any offence caused.
Take the point about timings, but it was a genuine question though, as I can't remember his name or any of the others being discussed here.
Condolences to family and friends.
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,418
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Post by harrybuckle on Sept 18, 2020 7:24:55 GMT
Gordon started Rovers young supporters club and in 1969 did a sponsored walk to raise funds for Rovers youth team. It involved a walk to all the clubs Rovers played in their tremendous fa cup run culminating in that trip to Everton. His exploits as a super fan going well beyond support saw him win a national award of £1,000 and Gordon gave it all as well as the sponsorship money to Rovers the club he loved. That was a big s on 1969.
He later help organise Rovers Welsh nursery club Clifton Villa in Cardiff which culminated in Rovers attracting many talented Welsh players Wayne Jones. Peter Aitken.Andrew Evans, Phil Roberts. Peter Higgins, Martin Thomas etc.
He was a fully trained accountant a tremendous gentleman and ensured Rovers survival post Twerton.
His loyalty and hard work cannot be under estimated. I knew him as a friend. It was him who encouraged me to research and write about Rovers history on the matchday programme and in books 42 years ago and counting.
He always kept on touch with former players and always attended funerals most recently Stuart Taylor's.
He was a dedicated football man and left a legacy at Rovers and Plymouth Argyle to encourage youth development.
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GasMacc1
Les Bradd
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,423
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Post by GasMacc1 on Sept 18, 2020 7:56:59 GMT
When my Dad and I turned up at Twerton in the summer of 1986 to do some voluntary painting of the Popular Side stands, Gordon Bennett smilingly brought us out a tray of tea. We drank it whilst having a chat with Jackie Pitt.
When recalling Rovers' characters of the past, Gordon Bennett sometimes referred to them as "the golden thread that runs through the rich fabric of Bristol Rovers". He was one of those golden threads.
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Post by a more piratey game on Sept 18, 2020 8:06:16 GMT
When my Dad and I turned up at Twerton in the summer of 1986 to do some voluntary painting of the Popular Side stands, Gordon Bennett smilingly brought us out a tray of tea. We drank it whilst having a chat with Jackie Pitt. When recalling Rovers' characters of the past, Gordon Bennett sometimes referred to them as "the golden thread that runs through the rich fabric of Bristol Rovers". He was one of those golden threads. Love that! |
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Post by a more piratey game on Sept 18, 2020 8:10:49 GMT
I won a competition at school to get free tickets to a game and a guided tour of Eastville. I still remember Gordon giving us the tour and saying next is the trophy room this won't take long I remember a similar tour. Being told that the floodlights at another football ground in Bristol were about 4 feet or so taller than ours was a disappointment, but then we got to the trophy room. The Watney Cup was there, plus something from the promotion, and probably the Gloucestershire Cup too. I thought it was always going to be pretty full.. |
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bloogas
Joined: July 2016
Posts: 1,093
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Post by bloogas on Sept 18, 2020 8:34:53 GMT
A very sad event. I didn't have contact with him at Rovers but I was at school with him (Chipping Sodbury Grammar). He was a couple of years older than me. In those days he was organising train spotters' clubs and outings. He soon transferred his attention to Rovers though. I believe he trained as an accountant with British Steel in South Wales, hence linking up with Stan Montgomery. Shame he had to move on. I'd guess the link with Norwich was David Williams moving there. RIP Gordon.
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Post by chelt_gas on Sept 18, 2020 8:54:38 GMT
I remember being at Twerton for the season ender v WBA as an 11-year old. A few skirmishes broke out and I found myself hoisted onto the pitch amidst the chaos. Gordon Bennett took me away from the melee and reunited me with my old man - from that point I learned about his association with Rovers and him being an all round good guy.
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willrog
Joined: July 2014
Posts: 33
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Post by willrog on Sept 18, 2020 11:02:55 GMT
Ashton Gate, early 60s, Rovers youth team against Hartcliffe Boys Club. Had mates in HBC team, surreal experience as it was the first and only time I wanted the Rovers to lose!
Stood next to Gordon Bennett throughout the game, he appreciated the dilemma I was in. Can’t remember the result.
RIP Gordon.
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