DAVE BRYANT: 1960-2024
ENFIELD TOWN are mourning one of their founding fathers, Dave Bryant.
Bryant, a legendary figure in the Isthmian Premier club’s history having played a pivotal role in their formation in 2001-02, passed away last weekend after a battle with cancer.
The Towners became the first fan-owned club after supporters decided to set up their own club when Enfield’s Southbury Road home was sold.
Bryant was a figurehead of the rise from the Essex Senior League to Step 3 of the National League – as well as moving into their Queen Elizabeth II Stadium. He stepped down as chairman last month, with their home renamed the Dave Bryant Stadium for the rest of the season.
A minute’s respect was held before their Fenix Trophy win over Llantwit Major on Tuesday night, while tributes from across the game have flooded in.
Vice-chairman Paul Millington, who was also a key part of the club coming into existence, said: “He certainly had a stubborn streak and so when it came to righting the wrong of the borough losing its football club he had the bit between his teeth.
“It wasn’t just his desire to put things right that made this fight ultimately successful, it was also his ability to bring people with him and reason with those who objected to the road taken. He did that through his wonderful personality.
“Always generous, always having a joke and an ability to turn bad situations to ones you felt could be overcome.
“A testimony to his personality is that those who strongly disagreed with the formation of a new club were always on the best of terms with Dave. Always approachable, it was difficult for anyone to dislike him.”
Enfield have always been seen as the blueprint for fan-owned clubs who followed them and one of those, AFC Wimbledon, paid tribute, saying: “Dave helpedusgetourclu
