Page 1 of 1
DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 12:27 pm
by clansman
Sad new, ex Director of BFC passed away this morning.
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 12:39 pm
by Royboyclaret
Sad news, indeed, of a top man.
RIP Derek, 87 years old, I think.
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 12:53 pm
by Chester Perry
clansman wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2020 12:27 pm
Sad new, ex Director of BFC passed away this morning.
Was actually last Friday when Derek died - a lovely and kind gentleman RIP
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 12:54 pm
by Rodleydave
Some people leave their thumbprint on the world and are not forgotten when they depart. Derek Gill is such a person, part of the history of the club forever so that his name will not be forgotten. Part of the Bond season, plus the ones preceding that and then following it. He was the one who made sense of the financial mess that owld Bob had left the club in, sorted things out, and well and truly got the club back on track money-wise. At one point thanks to him the club was swimming in money. As well we know, it all went pear shaped but that was not his fault. Circumstances, the chemistry of the board, the toxic atmosphere, the decline of the Bond season, dwindling crowds, the money went... the rest we all know. He was devoted to the club and rued its decline. His full story is in NNN Vol 2. and he was so helpful with that and I had free use of his diaries. I was toying with making the John Bond season the next book. Perhaps I owe it to Derek to do that.
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 12:56 pm
by Chester Perry
Rodleydave wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2020 12:54 pm
Some people leave their thumbprint on the world and are not forgotten when they depart. Derek Gill is such a person, part of the history of the club forever so that his name will not be forgotten. Part of the Bond season, plus the ones preceding that and then following it. He was the one who made sense of the financial mess that owld Bob had left the club in, sorted things out, and well and truly got the club back on track money-wise. At one point thanks to him the club was swimming in money. As well we know, it all went pear shaped but that was not his fault. Circumstances, the chemistry of the board, the toxic atmosphere, the decline of the Bond season, dwindling crowds, the money went... the rest we all know. He was devoted to the club and rued its decline. His full story is in NNN Vol 2. and he was so helpful with that and I had free use of his diaries. I was toying with making the John Bond season the next book. Perhaps I owe it to Derek to do that.
He spoke with such regret about what could have been
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 12:59 pm
by mikeS
Sad news indeed. Derek was a nice fella and used to be a member at Ighten Mount when I was. RIP
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 1:01 pm
by KevWebstersBomber
Chester Perry wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2020 12:53 pm
Was actually last Friday when Derek died - a lovely and kind gentleman RIP
He died this morning.
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 1:07 pm
by Chester Perry
my apologies Friday was when I heard his passing was near, hearing about so many people I know dying recently, it is all rather sad no matter how much I look back with fondness on the shared memories
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 1:24 pm
by ClaretTony
Was it last Friday? I was only told about it this morning but you would think the club might have reported it.
Nice man who I got to know really well over the years but I knew he hadn’t been well and he was also losing his sight.
Committed Claret and my thoughts with all of his family.
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 1:28 pm
by nil_desperandum
Chester Perry wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2020 12:53 pm
Was actually last Friday when Derek died - a lovely and kind gentleman RIP
Not sure how you got this info, but let me confirm that he passed away peacefully at around 6a.m. today at his own home.
He was a remarkable man of many talents and achievements, but underneath it all his large family mean't everything to him.
Rest in Peace Derek. You touched many of our lives greatly.
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 1:42 pm
by ClaretTony
nil_desperandum wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2020 1:28 pm
Not sure how you got this info, but let me confirm that he passed away peacefully at around 6a.m. today at his own home.
He was a remarkable man of many talents and achievements, but underneath it all his large family mean't everything to him.
Rest in Peace Derek. You touched many of our lives greatly.
I know one of his sons David really well and we often bump into each other at away games. He does have a large family, is it eight sons and daughters.
If I could describe Derek in one word it would be ‘Gentleman’. I’ve not seen him in some considerable time, possibly the last proper chat I had with him was when he came to our crown green bowling competition. I’ll never take sides on the John Jackson v Derek Gill argument. I knew them both well and really liked them. They were both big supporters but totally different kinds of people and it’s a sadder world that they have both now left us.
I am so sad at hearing today’s news which I learned from someone via the church Derek was part of in Ightenhill.
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 1:50 pm
by Wokingclaret
Thank you Mr Gill for giving Rodleydave access to your diaries. Very interesting read.
RIP
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 2:13 pm
by Boss Hogg
Having finished From Orient to The Emirates recently he was clearly very helpful to the club and a great asset when we were in a financial mess.
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 4:08 pm
by Cirrus_Minor
RIP Dereck Gill
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 4:29 pm
by FCBurnley
RIP Dereck ( unusual spelling ) Didn’t know you but you were clearly a true Claret
Re: DERECK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 4:36 pm
by ClaretTony
FCBurnley wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2020 4:29 pm
RIP Dereck ( unusual spelling ) Didn’t know you but you were clearly a true Claret
It's Derek
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 6:14 pm
by claretgilly
Thanks for the kind tributes to a great man. My grandad, Derek, led a wonderful life and achieved great things, but first and foremost he was devoted to his wife Kathleen, seven children and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The 1980s was before my time, but I know what Burnley Football Club meant to him and that he saw it as an absolute honour to have served on the board.
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 10:10 pm
by bfcjg
I knew one of his sons way back and he was so proud of his dad and the way he helped the club at the time was so vital.
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 10:49 pm
by Uwe Noble
Sad news. Good man, very good singer and devoted Claret. His greatest achievement was his family..
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 11:31 pm
by TVC15
Lovely man.
Spent a lot of time with one of his sons and he was as has been said a very devoted and loved family man.
Loved his football and loved his cricket too.
When he was finance director he took me in his car to the semi final of league cup at Anfield with 2 of his daughters and one of his sons. We had great seats and it was a really memorable experience - mainly because of Derek and the way he looked after us all and tried to make it a special night....which he most certainly did.
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 1:43 am
by KevWebstersBomber
Nice words from Dave & CT.
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 8:19 am
by DAVETHEVICAR
RIP Derek Gill
I did not know him but remember him from the times when he was a Director of the club
He was a top guy and worked hard for the Clarets
Condolences to his wife and all his family and friends
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 11:21 am
by ClaretTony
Derek's funeral is this Thursday, 22nd October with Requiem Mass at St. Mary's, Yorkshire Street at 10:15 followed by burial at Burnley Cemetery.
Because of current circumstances it won't be possible for me, and many others I would imagine, to attend the church. I would very much have wanted to be there otherwise.
Rest in peace Derek and my thoughts are with Kathleen and all the Gill family.
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 5:32 pm
by Chester Perry
ClaretTony wrote: ↑Tue Oct 20, 2020 11:21 am
Derek's funeral is this Thursday, 22nd October with Requiem Mass at St. Mary's, Yorkshire Street at 10:15 followed by burial at Burnley Cemetery.
Because of current circumstances it won't be possible for me, and many others I would imagine, to attend the church. I would very much have wanted to be there otherwise.
Rest in peace Derek and my thoughts are with Kathleen and all the Gill family.
You should be able to watch it here Tony - details not there yet but the plan is to have a stream available
http://www.goodsamaritanparish.org.uk/index.php
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 5:59 pm
by TVC15
Thanks for the info CT and CP.
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2020 10:17 am
by Chester Perry
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2020 11:22 am
by ClaretTony
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2020 11:23 am
by Burnley1989
I thought his son's eulogy was fantastic, it really shone through how proud his family will always be of him.
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2020 11:30 am
by ClaretTony
Burnley1989 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 22, 2020 11:23 am
I thought his son's eulogy was fantastic, it really shone through how proud his family will always be of him.
Huge respect to David for the way he spoke today. That really isn't easy at your own dad's funeral and I know something I couldn't have done.
The last time I was in St. Mary's was for a funeral and the place was absolutely packed. It was so sad to see so few people in there today when so many would have liked to have been there to pay their respects to Derek.
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2020 11:46 am
by Burnley1989
ClaretTony wrote: ↑Thu Oct 22, 2020 11:30 am
Huge respect to David for the way he spoke today. That really isn't easy at your own dad's funeral and I know something I couldn't have done.
The last time I was in St. Mary's was for a funeral and the place was absolutely packed. It was so sad to see so few people in there today when so many would have liked to have been there to pay their respects to Derek.
Same, huge respect.
I did one at a grandparents last year and no matter how many times I practised it and felt fine, I just went to bits when I was doing it. I'm not sure I'd get up to do it again.
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2020 11:50 am
by ClaretTony
Burnley1989 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 22, 2020 11:46 am
Same, huge respect.
I did one at a grandparents last year and no matter how many times I practised it and felt fine, I just went to bits when I was doing it. I'm not sure I'd get up to do it again.
I know I couldn't do it. When my mum died, my cousin, who is a lay preacher, conducted the funeral. He asked me and my brother if either of us wanted to speak. We both said no but it was an advantage having my mum's nephew there because he was able to speak about her.
David went right at the end this morning. While I sat there listening I couldn't help but think he sounded just like his dad.
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2020 12:08 pm
by nil_desperandum
David is very much his father's son, and his fine tribute was almost exactly as I expected it to be
Honest direct, sincere and all-embracing.
It summed up Derek's life and achievements perfectly, and his family was at the centre of everything.
Great to hear Derek singing too.
A moving occasion despite the restrictions.
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2020 9:18 pm
by Chester Perry
Those who were unable to watch the stream this morning of Derek Gill's funeral it is here if you want to watch it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A91jPSu ... e=youtu.be
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2020 10:43 pm
by TVC15
Thanks for posting CP.
Great tribute from David.
Very moving.
Re: DEREK GILL R.I.P
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2020 11:50 am
by The Enclosure
Thank you CP.That was one of the best eulogies i have ever heard at a funeral service..Only met Derek a couple of times in a business environment and saw him on the Turf many times of course.Always struck me as a very decent and honest man.
My deepest sympathy to all the family.RIP Derek.