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Post by stefano on Mar 7, 2022 13:30:48 GMT
Sad news a true legend won promotion from Division 4 in his first season 1965/66 before leading Torquay to 3 successive serious promotion challenges from Division 3 only narrowly missing out. He went on to manage Leicester City and Manchester United and others as well as the Iran national team but never lost his love for Torquay. RIP ⚽️
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petef
Match Room Manager 
Posts: 4,626
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Post by petef on Mar 7, 2022 14:33:55 GMT
Sad news indeed.
A truly wonderful and generous man who always had time for supporters.
Spoke with Frank a number of occasions both as a child/teenager and in adulthood in his different spells with the club though the team he put together in the mid 60's wa as good as anything I've witnessed since.
The players respected and loved him too and he would always greet you a with smile on his face whether he knew you or not.
One of the true greats of TUFC both as a coach/manager and as a person and we haven't had many.
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Post by gateman49 on Mar 7, 2022 15:14:39 GMT
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Post by gateman49 on Mar 7, 2022 18:08:08 GMT
Apart from the many Torquay United football anecdotes, I have some personal memories of Frank straight from the time that he became manager and moved down here as we both worshipped at the same church, the Catholic one in St. Marychurch. In addition, I started on the gates during his tenure so he always had a word with me when our paths crossed.
By the time that Frank was manager at Leicester I was at Sheffield University and I occasionally visited Bramhall Lane so when the Blades played Leicester City he arranged a 'comp' for me enabling me to sit high up in the main stand for once as opposed to standing behind the goal at the Bramhall Lane end.
Later I took up running and he gave me helpful advice about a knee injury and recommended me to the TUFC physio for treatment (I paid for it!).
Then at my mum's funeral mass in 2001, well into his seventies, he was one of two 'altar boys' helping the priest carry out his duties.
Finally, I am happy to say that when I bought his autobiography he wrote me a personal dedication inside the cover.
What a man!
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Post by stig123 on Mar 7, 2022 20:05:39 GMT
Sad news.Great man and great manager. He gave so much to the club.A true club legend. Condolences to his family. R.I.P
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simonb
TFF member
Posts: 1,206 
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Post by simonb on Mar 8, 2022 10:27:48 GMT
Rename the Pop Side.
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Post by stig123 on Mar 8, 2022 18:49:53 GMT
Excellent idea simonb.Kudos.
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rjdgull
TFF member
Admin
Posts: 12,224
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Post by rjdgull on Mar 22, 2022 18:38:39 GMT
link - programme will be dedicated to him tonight together with a minute’s applause.
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Post by gateman49 on Apr 7, 2022 17:10:43 GMT
Frank's funeral was at 10.00 am today. Apparently the cortege drove along Marnham Road for fans to pay their respects. I wasn't there but attended the requiem mass (at what is also my family's 'home' church) and I can report that Frank had a fitting send off.
For those interested, the reading was taken from St Paul to Romans C14 V7-12, the hymns were Oh Lord My God, The Lord's My Shepherd, Abide With Me and Sweet Sacrament Divine, the music for reflection was The Banks Of My Own Lovely Lee (there weren't many dry eyes during that ballad) and the recessional music was Danny Boy.
Apart from members of his own fellow congregation at Our Lady Help of Christians and St Denis and a number of fans, attendees included Robin Stubbs representing his first and the best team to play for the club, Bruce Rioch, who worked so closely with Frank in the '80's and managed one or two other teams, John Impey, who also managed Weymouth and TUFC, David Easton, former club secretary, David Thomas, Keith Perry, and Gordon Hines who all reported on our ups and downs in the local press and Simon Baker former board member.
The eulogy was given jointly by his younger brother Jim who gave us a humorous insight into his younger days and grandson Richard Coombes who spoke about Frank's generous nature in supporting others as well as his football career.
Rest in Peace Frank
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timbo
Programmes Room Manager
QUO fan 4life.
Posts: 2,432
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Post by timbo on Apr 17, 2022 12:11:05 GMT
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rjdgull
TFF member
Admin
Posts: 12,224
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Post by rjdgull on Apr 17, 2022 14:02:43 GMT
Sorry to hear that Timbo. Hope the tests can sort something out. Glad scanner is up and running again.
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Jon
Admin
Posts: 6,912
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Post by Jon on Apr 18, 2022 12:00:58 GMT
So sorry to hear of your eye problems Timbo. Hope something can be sorted to get you back to Plainmoor.
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