Fan’s legacy [AN ORDINARY FOOTBALL fan became a legend when he
left a large portion of his estate to Bishop Auckland FC, the semiprofessional club he supported for more than 70 years. Colin Rowell left a bequest of more than £300,000 to the club when he died aged 79. Mr Rowell requested that the money from the sale of his bungalow be spent on improving the club’s Heritage Park ground. Club officials said that the bequest would enable the world’s most successful amateur side to continue to thrive long into the future. Club chairman Richard Tremewan said: “Although we have received one or two bequests before, we’ve had nothing like this – Colin’s generosity is unprecedented. It’s a stunning amount of money and one that will make a huge difference to the club.” Almost as soon as Colin could walk his father, who was a train driver, took him to his first match and those early years led to a lifelong love affair with the club. Darren Brown, a partner in the probate department of Hewitts Solicitors in Bishop Auckland, said: “Colin never married and he had no children so it was, perhaps, the natural thing for him to leave it to the football club that had given him so much pleasure over the years. “After he died we found a drawer full of newspaper clippings about Bishop Auckland FC and the team’s new ground at Heritage Park. Clearly, he followed them until the end.” Colin stipulated that the money should be used to improve the ground. Club director Terry Jackson said: “This magnificent gesture gives us the opportunity to do some of the things around the ground we would like to do – as opposed to what we can afford. It’s up to us to honour Colin’s memory by making sure every penny is spent wisely.”
28 28
www.yourexpertwitness.co.uk