Dear All
I am extremely saddened to hear the news of John Bradley, a great man, lose the struggle against cancer.
This is a very sad day for Brierfield Celtic F.C. and grass roots football in general.
He was loved by all who had the good fortune to meet him and will be truly missed by a club whom he served tirelessly throughout his life.
As a past Chairman of Brierfiled Celtic I will be commemorating his life with the club.
John Founded Brierfield Celtic in 1974 and he has seen many thousands of youngsters go through the BCFC academy starting out at 5 or 6 years old.
His own son started out at Brierfield Celtic F.C. and then his grandson went through the club.
John still ran the youth academy up to the point where his cancer treatment made him too ill to continue this year.
He also was an active member in the running of the club attending meetings and fighting battles on behalf of the club.
John won the BBC Sports peronality of the year “Lancashire Football Association Coach of the year, in 2006″ that featured in Look North TV programme.
He was co-founder of the North Valley Friendly League of which he was Chairman for a number of years.
John was a mentor to all the officials and managers at the club and many people who are now playing in our Senior Leagues will have been coached by John in their early days.
I have sent our condolences to John’s family at this sad time.
We have all been thinking of him wishing he could battle through the cancer these last years. Our hearts go out to all his family.
As soon as I know the arrangements I will let you know.
Please pass the news onto ex players.
Should the weather be kind enough this weekend for games to go ahead it would be a fitting tribute to hold a minute silence/applause for John.
Peter Brennand