Fitzhugh Fella Posted 14 June, 2016 Share Posted 14 June, 2016 Sad to report that ex-Saint Tony Byrne died yesterday aged 70. Tony played for Saints between 1964 and 1970 making 101 starts, 13 sub appearances and scoring 3 goals. A Republic of Ireland international he was a versatile left-sided defender who was often picked by Ted Bates to man mark George Best. He was a lovely chap who I remember would often take time out after training to coach us kids in The Dell car park. He wound down his career at Hereford (Terry Paine brought him with him) and Newport. All thoughts go to his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give it to Ron Posted 14 June, 2016 Share Posted 14 June, 2016 I used to see Tony at Shirley Warren club when dating a girl from there called Sandra, I had a broken arm from playing football and Tony and Ken Jones both signed it - was so proud to have that. I remember Tony snuffing out George Best in one game - he hardly had a kick. RIP Tony so sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 14 June, 2016 Author Share Posted 14 June, 2016 Can the Mods make this a sticky for a few days please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suewhistle Posted 14 June, 2016 Share Posted 14 June, 2016 Showing my age here. I remember him, and seem to recall he ran with an alert, head up style, although wouldn't trust my memory any more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lets B Avenue Posted 14 June, 2016 Share Posted 14 June, 2016 Ted also played him as a centre-forward at Chelsea, as Ron was out injured. We lost 3-0. He also managed to score both goals in a 1-1 home draw against Derby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintalan Posted 14 June, 2016 Share Posted 14 June, 2016 RIP was in the team when I started my fulltime support. Condolences to family. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasper57saint Posted 14 June, 2016 Share Posted 14 June, 2016 RIP Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 14 June, 2016 Share Posted 14 June, 2016 RIP Tony, I remember him as very energetic, enthusiastic midfielder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainchris Posted 14 June, 2016 Share Posted 14 June, 2016 A very decent player ... I remember Denis Hollywood man marking George Best but not Tony... None the less liked his style .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 14 June, 2016 Author Share Posted 14 June, 2016 Bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 14 June, 2016 Author Share Posted 14 June, 2016 Bump X 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cambsaint Posted 14 June, 2016 Share Posted 14 June, 2016 RIP I'm surprised he was only 70, just two years older than me. I really wonder if heading those heavy sodden leather balls has led to so many old players dying relatively young. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyinthesky Posted 14 June, 2016 Share Posted 14 June, 2016 RIP I'm surprised he was only 70, just two years older than me. I really wonder if heading those heavy sodden leather balls has led to so many old players dying relatively young. I think he was suffering from prostrate cancer Unlikely to be caused by playing football Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Posted 14 June, 2016 Share Posted 14 June, 2016 RIP Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 15 June, 2016 Share Posted 15 June, 2016 RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dronskisaint Posted 15 June, 2016 Share Posted 15 June, 2016 Part of the team that was so much a part of my youth - condolences to family and friends and thanks for the memories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericofarabia Posted 15 June, 2016 Share Posted 15 June, 2016 RIP was in the team when I started my fulltime support. Condolences to family. Alan Same here. Shame he can't enjoy The Republic of Irelands matches in The Euro's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grizzlygit Posted 15 June, 2016 Share Posted 15 June, 2016 My dad would occasionally bring him home for a jar or two after kicking out time at The Bedford when we lived in Devonshire Road, when I was a nipper. Really nice man. RIP Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9-3 Posted 15 June, 2016 Share Posted 15 June, 2016 Yes, remember him well. Always gave 100%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teddy Nutkins Posted 15 June, 2016 Share Posted 15 June, 2016 RIP Murphy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy_D Posted 15 June, 2016 Share Posted 15 June, 2016 RIP Before my time, but always sad to hear of a former Saint passing. There's a nice bit about him on the OS. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/20160614-tony-byrne-appreciation-3142430.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snopper Posted 17 June, 2016 Share Posted 17 June, 2016 RIP Before my time, but always sad to hear of a former Saint passing. There's a nice bit about him on the OS. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/20160614-tony-byrne-appreciation-3142430.aspx Well said, Sir. Always sad indeed and especially for those of us who still have the memories of those long ago days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dell Dave Posted 17 June, 2016 Share Posted 17 June, 2016 The first Saints game I ever saw was a 2:2 draw against Burnley where Tony Byrne scored one of the goals along with Channon. Obviously the memory is very vague but a lifetime later I have reason to be thankful to Tony for a lifelong obsession. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 17 June, 2016 Share Posted 17 June, 2016 met him a couple of times during his playing days. Friendly and polite too, but showed his metal when playing and recall his special assignments in marking George Best. Don't know if Ted Bates played him deliberately as Tony came from the Eire ....and George was a Northern Ireland international.....but the tactic worked well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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