Stuart Metcalfe :(

[Hoochie Bloochie Mama]

[Mercer]

Sad, sad news.

First saw Stuart playing for Blackburn school boys at Griffin Park and a team mate of his then was an Ian Gillibrand who  was attracting a lot of attention from First Division clubs and eventually went to Arsenal.  Remember my dad saying, forget Gillibrand it's that young Metcalfe who has something about him and he was right (Gillibrand faded into relative obscurity and think he ended up at Wigan).

Think he was only 17 when he made his debut for Rovers and he clearly was a very talented lad and never seemed fazed by anything.

I remember some big, big battles he had with the likes of Trevor Hockey and Willie Carlin (feisty characters) - Metcalfe could certainly mix it!

Formed an awesome partnership with Tony Parkes in Gordon Lee's super unit that won promotion from the old Third Division in the 1970's.

Some great memories.

RIP Stuart.

    

Edited August 7, 2020 by Mercer

[mick]

RIP Stuart. As a schoolboy, played both with and against Meccy. I remember stopping by his house in Mill Hill to find him kicking a tennis ball against the stone wall on the cobblestones of their back ginnel. That’s how you mastered ball control, old school.

Remember him showing us his new boots paid for by the Rovers, for whom he had just signed. He had picked them up in Manchester. We were in awe. 

His sister, Christine, was the last girl that I dated before leaving for Canada. We all gathered at the Lions Dance Club on Saturday evenings. A good lad, Stuart. 

[Herbie6590]

3 hours ago, A Northern Horde... said:

R.I.P. fellow Rover.Thank you for your contribution in the famous old Blue 'n' White.

Didn't Stuart used to co-commentate on Rovers games via Radio Rovers in the past?

I was editing this yesterday morning coincidentally....

 

[LDRover]

5 hours ago, Mercer said:

Sad, sad news.

First saw Stuart playing for Blackburn school boys at Griffin Park and a team mate of his then was an Ian Gillibrand who  was attracting a lot of attention from First Division clubs and eventually went to Arsenal.  Remember my dad saying, forget Gillibrand it's that young Metcalfe who has something about him and he was right (Gillibrand faded into relative obscurity and think he ended up at Wigan).

Think he was only 17 when he made his debut for Rovers and he clearly was a very talented lad and never seemed fazed by anything.

I remember some big, big battles he had with the likes of Trevor Hockey and Willie Carlin (feisty characters) - Metcalfe could certainly mix it!

Formed an awesome partnership with Tony Parkes in Gordon Lee's super unit that won promotion from the old Third Division in the 1970's.

Some great memories.

RIP Stuart.

    

Yes, ended up at Wigan, lived on Sandy Lane in Lower Darwen and died at a relatively young age.

[Elvis Biro]

I remember going to Ewood in the late 60s to see an England Youth International. I reckon 99% of the crowd were there to see our new wonderkid - Stuart Metcalfe.

Great Rover.

[darrenrover]

As others have said, such a sad loss. I recall standing on the Blackburn End with my Grandad in the late 60s watching a youth team match against Liverpool. I'd be 7 or 8 years of age, Metcalfe was outstanding and Grandad told me with reference to mecky, "he'll be signing up soon on £200 a week". I never forgot that, a fortune I thought!

Stuart Metcalfe, you were a Blackburn Rovers legend and one of our own.

RIP.

[den]

Anyone know the cause of death? 69 doesn’t seem that old nowadays.

[Leonard Venkhater]

7 hours ago, Herbie6590 said:

I was editing this yesterday morning coincidentally....

 

Many thanks for posting this on such a sad day.

Stuart was remarkably restrained!

[oldjamfan1]

3 hours ago, LDRover said:

Yes, ended up at Wigan, lived on Sandy Lane in Lower Darwen and died at a relatively young age.

That means there were two Ian Gillibrands lived within yards of each other (the other was in Kingston Place and still very much alive and aged about 60) 

[Paul Mellelieu]

Like others, my very fond memories of Stuart were as part of the '75 promotion-winning side, playing alongside Tony Parkes.

I have a vague memory of Stuart being round at my girlfriend's house some time in the early '80s, and he was a a lovely fella.

A life well-lived, but one far too short.

[matt83]

2 hours ago, den said:

Anyone know the cause of death? 69 doesn’t seem that old nowadays.

I don’t actually know but sure I heard he had Alzheimer’s. Might be totally wrong. 

[m1st]

Awful news that a lad who really was "one of our own" has left us at such a comparatively early age.

Others have shared their memories of him and his versatility; we're talking of a Rovers' icon here. Let's hope that the club's tweet is a preliminary to some sort of appropriate recognition by the club of a "local lad made good".

[Boroblue]

My first games where at the end of the 60s but Metcalfe was an integral part of all the old hard men teams . Jim smiths and Kendall. Great player from great times. RIP

 

[Atko's Engine]

I don't remember Stuart Metcalfe personally as I think he played before my time as a supporter, but I certainly know his name as someone who is part of the fabric of the club. My dad talks highly of him as do all those who've commented above.

Such a shame when news like this is announced, albeit it revives find memories for so many. It sounds like no-one had a bad word to say about him.

RIP sir.

Edited August 8, 2020 by Atko's Engine

[den]

10 hours ago, matt83 said:

I don’t actually know but sure I heard he had Alzheimer’s. Might be totally wrong. 

Thanks Matt, I’ve now read that somewhere else. 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

24 minutes ago, den said:

Thanks Matt, I’ve now read that somewhere else. 

That seems to be very prevalent in footballers of a certain era.

[Riversider28]

15 hours ago, oldjamfan1 said:

That means there were two Ian Gillibrands lived within yards of each other (the other was in Kingston Place and still very much alive and aged about 60) 

I thought the Ian Gillbrand who went to Arsenal lived on Branch Road, where Bryan Douglas also lived. But I may be mistaken.

[oldjamfan1]

16 hours ago, Riversider28 said:

I thought the Ian Gillbrand who went to Arsenal lived on Branch Road, where Bryan Douglas also lived. But I may be mistaken.

Oh I wasn’t questioning that at all mate, it’s just I know the other Ian Gillibrand and was just pointing out the coincidence of two blokes with the same name living in such close proximity to each other.

[Riversider28]

4 hours ago, oldjamfan1 said:

Oh I wasn’t questioning that at all mate, it’s just I know the other Ian Gillibrand and was just pointing out the coincidence of two blokes with the same name living in such close proximity to each other.

I know exactly what you mean. I live opposite to a guy who has the same name as me. Or do I have the same name as him ? Now I’m really confused ?

Edited August 9, 2020 by Riversider28

[m1st]

Two blokes called Riversider28 living across the road from each other?

What are the odds?? Even in Blackburn!??

 

[Alan75]

Stuarts daughter Lauren, has asked for the following to be shared.

?????? ???????? - Our dad’s funeral.
???? ??????
Please share far and wide!! ❤️

We would just like to say a huge thank you for
everyone’s messages, cards and endless flowers. It’s meant so much at this awful time.

Unfortunately with the way things are at the moment we can’t give my dad the send off we would have liked but my god we are going to give it our best shot!

The service is being held at Pleasington Cemetery & Crematorium. (???? ??????) Leaving Alty’s funeral home at 1:30pm, followed by a drive through Blackburn Rovers grounds at 2pm and 2:15 at the crematorium for the service.

Sadly we can only have 22 inside the chapel for the service, however the cars will be driving past Blackburn Rovers at 2pm so we would kindly ask those that want to line the streets to pay your respects for any people that knew my dad or just supported him with the football, we would love that and so would my dad. Other option for people is to socially distance around the crematorium grounds, as there are speakers outside the chapel so you can follow and listen along to the service. As long as we abide by the social distancing rules we are following regulations.

We will also be live streaming the funeral service for those that want to watch or can’t attend.

My dad always liked to dress smart for any occasion, even if he was going to the rovers he used to get his suit and tie on. So the dress code for those who want to is suited & booted. Or you can wear your Blackburn Rovers shirts to support dad’s football career with them.

Anyone who would like to follow the cars through the town is welcome to.
Can I also ask anyone that has any pictures of my dad to share them on the day across all social media! Also if you could send me them personally.

If anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to message.

?????? ?????/?????? ??? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ?????’? ???? ?????? ?????. ?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??? ???????? ???? ???

‘?????’? ???? ??? ?????? ????????’

 

[Alan75]

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2020/august/rovers-bid-farewell-to-club-favourite/?fbclid=IwAR3wFTQIl4O4bWo6bdh6Z6B-ZlJdcdwugfC-5O6u1ZiQGmhnzJReN6w7FiE

[Hoochie Bloochie Mama]

 

[RevidgeBlue]

I was hoping to make it down to the ground today but sadly couldn't manage it.

God Bless Stuart. You'd kill to have a player like him in our midfield alongside a ball winner like Travis at the moment.