Fakenham Town FC - The Ghosts

Fakenham Town football Club lost a dear friend and staunch supporter with the passing of Brian Woodhouse earlier this week. Brian was a true colossus of Fakenham Town Football Club, an organisation he served over a long period spanning in excess of 40 years. A former Chairman, President, Life Vice President and Youth Coach, Brian served the Club he loved so much with a generosity of spirit that will not be matched.
Former Ghosts Vice Chairman Paul Wright remembered “I first encountered Brian in 1982, when I became the Club’s Honorary Secretary under his Chairmanship. It was clear from the start that Brian took his role seriously, and served as an officer of the Club with great pride. I know I'm not alone in thinking that Brian’s presence will be greatly missed in every aspect at the Club”. Paul added, “He was a great mentor in matters relating to administration and protocol and always championed the Club in his many duties connected as a Management Committee member of the Anglian Combination Football League, and later as a Council member and President of the Norfolk County FA. He was a great ambassador for Fakenham Town Football Club, always positively promoting the Club whenever the opportunity arose”.
Brian continued to closely follow and support his Club at every opportunity and was a familiar sight at Clipbush Park; always lending a hand whenever he could until failing health prevented him doing so in recent months. “Brian was well respected by all at the club, young and old. He enjoyed regaling past experiences with visiting officials; and offering advice and support on match days” recalled current secretary Andrew Mitchell.
Brian was also well known to locals outside of football, having run a barber shop in town for many years.
The Club went some way to recognising Brian’s contribution to the Club when they officially named the new Club Room in his honour in the summer of 2010, aptly during the club’s 125th year Player’s reunion, where many former players and officials stood as one to applaud and give recognition to his tremendous service to Fakenham Town Football Club. Brian was a very proud man that night, and was particularly pleased to share the evening with members of his close family, his son Paul and daughter Julie.
As a mark of respect, a minutes silence will be observed before Monday’s (2nd Jan, 3pm) home game against March Town Utd.
This small piece does not come close to doing justice to a man who served Fakenham Town Football Club with such great distinction; and our thoughts and condolences go out to his wife Tessa and close family at this time.