John Bird

19th June 1923 – 21st January 2021


As we re-open our doors following the third COVID lockdown, it is with great sadness that we report the passing of Mr John Bird, a long-standing member of The Brunswick Club Management Committee.

 

John was Fulham born and bred, a World War II veteran whose 65-year association with The Brunswick Club began in 1955 when he joined as a PT and Games Instructor.  He will be best remembered for his single-handed running of the Club’s summer football tournament for over 35 years, arranging and refereeing all fixtures, and hand-writing the league tables at the end of every day.  It became the biggest football tournament in the West London area and there would not have been many young footballers in Fulham who did not take part through the years.

 

He joined the Club’s Management Committee in the early 1990s and was still an active member up until the day he died.  His dedication did not go unnoticed.  In the 1980s he received a merit award for his commitment to the young people of Fulham from the Association of Combined Youth Clubs, presented to him by HRH Princess Anne, and on his 90th birthday, which he celebrated at The Brunswick Club, he was deeply moved to receive a letter from HRH Prince Philip commending him for his loyalty and service.

 

John’s other passions were his lifelong love of Fulham Football Club and home cinema.  As a Fulham supporter, John rarely missed a match, home or away. He was a season ticket holder at Craven Cottage and a steward on coaches travelling to away games. He even travelled by coach to Hamburg at the age of 87 for the Europa Cup Final (which Fulham sadly lost to Atletico Madrid in extra time).

 

As a home cinema addict, John was forever filming holidays, family gatherings, and other important occasions and showing them back at family events.  In the 1980s, he started showing classic films in sheltered and residential care homes.  This became something of a long-term occupation, with John showing upwards of 70 films every winter, something he continued to do into his early 90s.

 

In everything that he did, John Bird was a true gentleman, kind and caring to everyone he met.  His energy, enthusiasm, and sheer dogged determination to continue doing what he enjoyed well into his later years should be an inspiration to us all.  God bless you Mr Bird, you are a true Brunswick legend!!! Thank You.