In memory of Colne Dynamoes' first goalkeeper - 'Big Brian' Clark

THIS week's column spotlights one of the area's best-known all-round sportsman and, indeed, one of our most well-known local characters of all time.

He is none other than the one and only Brian Leonard Clark who, next week, would reach the age of 70 had not his early, tragic death at the age of just 55 occurred back in the year 1995.

Brian was born during the Second World War in Birmingham and had three older sisters.

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In 1942, their father Leonard was to lose his life in the war and mother Ethel moved to Colne with her son and daughters, growing up down Derby Street.

Brian attended Lord Street school, becoming a great success playing football and cricket for the school teams.

In 1951, Brian passed his eleven-plus exam and became a pupil at Edge End, which later became Nelson Secondary Technical school, here again excelling at all sports.

At Edge End, Brian acquired the nickname "Bris" Clark and, during his happy years at the school, grew in stature and size.

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On leaving school, he worked at the Victory-V factory, becoming a goalkeeper of great repute for their notable works' team. Brian joined Burnley Football Club for two years and later, working at Rolls-Royce, became a very hard-to-beat boxer.

During the 1960s, Brian became an excellent snooker and darts player and in 1963 became the mighty Colne Dynamoes' first goalkeeper.

Brian was now a family man and would, with his first wife Shirley, have four children - Jackie, John, Julie and Jayne - and with Jean, his second wife, daughters - Keely and Becky.

And today, the family has grown, with well over a dozen grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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In 1970, "Big Brian" founded, with "Big Phil" Sykes, his renowned company Brimac which, 40 years on, is still going strong.

Later, in the 1980s, deep sea angling was Brian's sport and on our excellent Mick O'Connor's line-drawing, we see Brian on the right with a successful catch and on the left, as the Dynamoes' giant goalie.

On Friday night, November 8th, 1963, the Shepherds Arms, Colne, had its grand opening night. I was the first barman at the new pub and, after half-an-hour, the place was packed full of Colne characters, many of them barred by the town's other pubs!

As I looked around, I could see Bob "Butch" Brown, John "Channer" Greenwood, Thomas "Chuck" Cowburn, Harold French, Wilf Walker, Leo Murphy, Danny Atkinson, Smith Crowther, Ivan Sharples, Billy Ellis, Horace Carlisle and Jackie Penman.

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Just as I was pulling a third pint for Micky Rodgers, waiter Jackie Valentine came over to the bar saying to me: "Look who's just come in, Geoff." I looked up to see Brian Clark striding through the new pub.

As he did, a smiling little Jackie Carradice shook Brian's hand and big Foster Willan gave a thumbs-up sign.

Then, as Hartley Calvert moved over to let Brian to the bar and Micky Cooper lit his fourth cigarette, Brian called over to me, "Two pints of Tetley bitter and keep the change, barman", putting a new ten shilling note on the bar!

That first night at the new "Lijah's", over 800 was taken behind the bar and over 200 customers came through the doors.

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Brian was known for miles around as being generous and great company, and stories of his many exploits are still told in local pubs to this day. "Big Brian" Clark had a heart as big as his frame and would have reached the age of 70 on Thursday, February 18th.

By a remarkable coincidence, also celebrating 70 on the same day are the notable artist John Corcoran and body-building champion Adrian Shaw. Many happy returns.

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