Soccer stalwart mourned
The Far North football world united in grief after the sudden death of Brian Stopford.
A stalwart of the community, with a deep love for the “beautiful game”, Mr Stopford was a teacher, with the majority of his time spent at Cairns State High School over the past four decades.
Mr Stopford was described as a “champion of football” with a particular love for promoting and making the best of school sport, coaching the Peninsula side for years.
There’s not too many footUnited,
ballers who have come through this part of the world over the past several decades who wouldn’t have met Mr Stopford, who enjoyed stints at Mareeba United, Edge Hill and Stratford over his many years in the sport.
He also provided regular reports in a weekly spot on ABC Far North radio, becoming a leading voice of the sport.
FQ Far North and Gulf manager Alex Srhoj said it was difficult to sum up Mr Stopford’s impact across his more than four decades involvement.
“It’s a massive loss for the football family,” Mr Srhoj said.
“Youth development in particular, that was and will be his legacy.
“He and Geoff Mayes, their first foray into school football was back in 1979 and they coached the first FNQ team to a state championship.
“He was involved in the development of football players ever since – that’s 40 years.
“When you think about, at one point in time, every young football player has been influenced by Brian.
“Nobody else has had the impact he had … it’s something that will never be forgotten, and something we may never see again.”
Speaking on behalf of Edge Hill United, president Richard Berman-Hardman said Mr Stopford’s enthusiasm for sport was infectious.
“Brian was a champion of football in our region and his passion was infectious,” he said.
“He was a true gentleman and our whole club is saddened by his passing and thinking of his family at this difficult time.”
Mr Stopford was a regular at Stratford home games, taking up the spot which became his at the northern end of the ground.
It’s where he took in many games over the years, at the ground where he played a key role as part of Stratford’s allconquering 1972 team.
A post on the Stratford Dolphins
Football Club Facebook page went into detail about his contributions to the club, which will celebrate its 60-year milestone later this year.
Other clubs, including Marlin Coast Rangers and Brisbane’s Wynnum Wolves, also posted tributes.
“On behalf of the whole club, members past and present, we extend our condolences to Brian’s family at this sad time,” the Marlin Coast post read.