It is with great regret that the Club announces the death of Mr. Brian Kilpatrick
It is with great regret that the Club announces the death of Mr. Brian Kilpatrick, a life-long supporter of Rochdale Football Club.
Born in Littleborough, although no relationship to David Kilpatrick, he was educated at Bury Grammar School.
After national service, he took up employment with Chartered Bank and spent the whole of his working career in banking all over the world.
Mr Kilpatrick and his family eventually retired to Cheltenham where he continued his two passions - horse racing, where at one time he had his own string of horses, and Rochdale Football Club.
He started watching Dale on a regular basis as a child with his father and enjoyed playing amateur football as a goalkeeper.
He never lost interest in his home town club and over many years has been a regular sponsor
Although it was a long distance to Spotland, he had two spells as a Director of the Club between 2003 and 2012, until his wife’s incapacity caused his resignation.
As a member of the Board he was instrumental in encouraging the Directors and others to match his generous gesture to subscribe for additional Share Capital in 2010, to avoid the necessity to sell players and consequently helped us gain promotion to Division 1.
After his wife took ill, Brian was not able to visit Spotland on a regular basis but he maintained his interest and each Sunday he would discuss the previous days game with ex members of the Board.
Fortunately, in the last month he managed to watch our victory at Bristol Rovers, he was present for our promotion winning game at home to Cheltenham and our final game of the season at Newport.
Brian was loyal, dependable and a generous sponsor but most of all he was a Gentleman. We are told that he will be taking his season ticket on his final journey.
He will be sadly missed.
Brian's son Andrew has inherited his father’s addiction and will continue the family tradition in his stead supporting the Dale.
We send our sincere condolences to Mr Kilpatrick’s family and friends. Our thoughts are with them at this time.