‘A gentleman’: Son of Glenavon FC stalwart Jackie Murray (82) who died on Boxing Day pays tribute

Jackie Murray

Jackie Murray. Pic Glenavon FC.

The funeral cortege of Glenavon FC stalwart Jackie Murray will pause at the home of the Lurgan Blues to mark the “massive part” the club played in his life.

Mr Murray (82) – a married father-of-one – passed away on Boxing Day, having spent Christmas Day with his family.

He is survived by his wife Sadie, son Darwin, daughter-in-law Heather, granddaughters Louise and Lauren, great-grandson Carter, sisters Shirley and Winnie and sister-in-law Margaret.

A retired postman and former firefighter, Mr Murray served Glenavon FC for 32 years as a volunteer member of the backroom staff and performed a number of roles around the club, including kitman.

He was also a long-time member and former chairman of the Glenavon Triangle Supporters Club.

Darwin said his father’s death came as a “massive shock” to those who loved him.

"He was up in our house on Christmas Day and he had the best day,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.

"He had gotten a new Liverpool jumper and he was like a child with a toy. He loved it, and he had a great day.

"He was due to work in the Triangle on Saturday and he was keeping it for then, because there would be a lot of Manchester United supporters to wind up.

"Then he got up on Tuesday morning and said he’d go up to the grave and fix a couple of graves and the next thing the police came and got us.

"He was a gentleman and everybody loved him. He doted on his two granddaughters and his great grandson. He would tell you how it is, and if you didn’t like it you’d just have to get on with it.”

Lurgan Blues’ chairman Adrian Teer said Mr Murray was a “stalwart of the club for many decades”.

"He was very active at supporter club level and behind the scenes,” said Mr Teer.

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