Soccer gran leads invasion of Zurich

August 1999

ALTHOUGH she has been a loyal lifetime supporter of soccer in the town, this week’s trip to Europe will be an entirely new experience for Bray Wanderers’ best known fan, Phyllis Cox.

Phyllis, who has 19 grandchildren, admitted at the weekend that she could not wait - and said that she was thrilled that after 65 years of support she had the chance of cheering on her native Bray in their UEFA Cup qualifier against Grasshoppers Zurich tonight.

‘On the only other occasion when Bray Wanderers managed to qualify for Europe I was unable to travel to their match in Turkey because of an illness in the family,’ recalled the 77-year-old from O’Byrne Road.

‘But this time I am on my way, and will spend the best part of a week with members of the supporters club in Switzerland,’ she said.

Mrs Cox has supported Bray Wanderers through thick and thin - as the ‘ tea lady’ for players and officials at Carlisle Grounds, and as one of a devoted band of travelling supporters.

‘I remember first being brought down to the Carlisle by my older sister 65 years ago to watch the Bray Unknowns,’ she said. ‘I was bitten by the bug and have been coming to matches every since.’

Her late brother Tom Doyle played for Bray Wanderers for a time; her nephew, Liam Richardson, also went through the club’s ranks, and her own son, Eddie, played in goal for Bray Wanderers. Eddie Cox subsequently served as the chairman of Bray Wanderers, is currently a director of the club, and a senior official of the FAI.