Glenavon is saddened to learn of the passing of its former manager, Bryan Campbell.

Bryan made his name as a no-nonsense left back with Portadown at the end of the 1950s. He once marked the great Stanley Matthews when Blackpool played a pre-season friendly at Shamrock Park. When the two men went for a ball early in the game, Bryan tackled the famous winger with such enthusiasm that he ended up on the cinder track!

During the 1960s Campbell was a team-mate of Wilbur Cush during the iconic Irish international’s six and a half years with Portadown. The two men struck up a firm friendship that continued until Cush’s untimely death in 1981.

After retirement Bryan had a short spell in the manager’s dug-out at Banbridge Town. Then, in August 1973, Glenavon boss, Eric Adair, put him in charge of the club’s newly formed third eleven. Twelve months later, following Adair’s resignation and a lengthy period when Tommy Lowry served pro tempore, Glenavon appointed Bryan as its eighth permanent manager since the War.

Unfortunately, Bryan’s tenure was brief. He left Mourneview Park in December 1974.

Sincere condolences are extended to Mrs. Ivy Campbell and the Campbell family circle.

Sammy Lunn, Walter Thompson, Bryan Campbell, Vic Fleming and Reggie Thompson pictured at Shamrock Park in December 2022. [Photograph courtesy of We Are Ports.]