Bridlington Town Chairman Pays Tribute to Former Club Secretary

Gordon (Joe) Gillott the former Club Secretary of Bridlington Town Football Club has passed away.

In a message on the Bridlington Town website club chairman Peter Smurthwaite said:

"It is with great sadness I have to announce the sad passing away of Gordon (Joe) Gillott the former Club Secretary of Bridlington Town.

Gordon had been ill for several months since he reluctantly had to stand down from his secretary’s role a job he did for many years. We send out sincere condolences to his partner Sue at this very difficult time.

He will be sadly missed by all at the club where he was well respected and was always available to help fellow committee members, team managers, coaching staff, ground staff, and players and bar staff.

He was a proper non-league football man, a very loyal, trustworthy and hardworking volunteer who spent many hours of his retirement keeping me and the club right with his secretarial and club administration duties.

He was well respected by fellow secretaries of all the other clubs in the Northern Counties East League and Northern Premier League and the staff at the East Riding County Football Association and the Football Association.

He was so thorough with his paperwork even when management were deciding on the contents of the team sheet at last minute.

He and Sue used to have their breaks at Bridlington at Howard Robinson Cottage or the Revelstoke Hotel where they would join myself and Gina for a few beers, the breaks always booked to coincide with our home fixtures of course.

I know he was highly delighted with town’s latest win in the ERCFA Senior Cup Final in early May even though he was not able to attend.

He learnt of his beloved Nottingham Forest’s great win against Arsenal at the weekend and their subsequent survival in the Barclays Premier League avoiding the dreaded relegation.

He handed over the Secretary’s job to Gavin Branton with excellent advice that has allowed Gavin to keep up the high standard of administration that this club is well known for.

Details of his funeral will be published on this site when they are available."

Club Secretary Gavin Branton added:

"Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of ‘Joe’ who I have known for nearly 20 years.

Joe was someone who talked footballing sense, someone who I could have a passionate but

sensible and measured ‘crac’ with.

He was always available to help with whatever I asked during my first spell as Secretary and I knew he was the best person to take over the reins when I had to move to the North East. Sadly, due to ill health after the Hallam friendly this season he had to step down and handed back the reins to me. An emotional time for Joe, Sue and myself as I knew what doing the role meant to him.

Due to his health issues that was the last time I saw him but I kept in regular touch throughout the season. Speaking on the way home after away trips and giving him the low down on the match. It ensured we kept him as part of the Bridlington Town family – which he always will be.

We last spoke after the Stocksbridge game and even though he was obviously in very poor health he was delighted his beloved Bridlington Town had stayed in the NPL. His other red shirted team Nottingham Forest also survived in the Premier league and I know Joe was delighted in knowing that had happened.

In memory of Joe a quote from one of his heroes –

“Rome wasn’t built in a day. But I wasn’t on that particular job.”  Brian Clough

Joe – you will be sadly missed and much remembered at Queensgate."