Eighty six-year-old Richard Herbert (Bertie) Elliott of Breandrum Park, Enniskillen passed away last Wednesday at South West Acute Hospital. 

A large crowd attended his funeral at St Macartin’s Cathedral in Enniskillen on Friday. Bertie was married to Joan, and had two children – Keith and Claire. 

Throughout his life, Bertie was a life-long Ballinamallard United supporter. Having grown up in the village Bertie started watching Ballinamallard when he joined the scouts, he never played for the Club but four of his siblings Noel, William, Harold and Teddy played in the 1940’s and 50’s. 

A Ballinamallard man through and through, Bertie recalled a few years ago that he doesn’t remember missing a match when he was fit and able to attend. He continued to attend Ferney Park for each match, until his health didn’t allow him in past few months, he would be found sitting at the front of the Main Stand, in more recent years accompanied by his daughter Claire.

Bertie was also a former club committee member and he was given a lifetime membership of Ballinamallard United FC by the Club in recognition of his long service.

 Paying tribute to Bertie, the club said, “Bertie remembered the team winning the Mulhern Cup in 1955. He also recalled the Ballinamallard team playing at various locations around the village, including the current Ferney Park site, but also where the former secondary school (Duke of Westminster High School) was on the Makenny Road and also at ‘Hoey’s field’, almost a mile out of the village on the Trillick Road. 

“We are certain that Ballinamallard United and Ferney Park were very much part of Bertie’s life, today the Club has lost a great friend, supporter and stalwart.”

Bertie is survived by his wife Joan, son Keith (Norma), daughter Claire (David), sisters Pearl and Gladys, brothers William and Teddy, grandchildren and great grandchildren and a wide family circle and friends.