We are deeply saddened to announce that Brian Fear has sadly passed away. Brian was synonymous with Aberaman Athletic/Aberdare Town where he was secretary for 50 years taking up the post in 1957 but had been with the Club even prior to that having been a team mascot as a young boy. He was elected to the Welsh Football League committee and served for many years as Treasurer, Vice Chairman and Chairman and upon the league being disbanded in 2020 he was still the league president. In 1977 he joined the Football Assocation of Wales and he was the longest serving FAW councilor culminating in him being the FAW President from 1994-1997. But it was always his love for his local side, having been born in Abercwmboi, that came first and foremost and despite stepping back from day to day involvement he remained as Life Vice-President and the main stand at Aberaman Park was named after him. Upon the news today we spoke with several people from around the Club, both past and present on their thoughts and memories of the great man: “It is with deep sorrow that we hear today of the death of Mr Brian Fear. On behalf of Aberdare Town FC I would like to pass on to Brian’s family our deepest sympathy. I was very fortunate to get to know Brian from a very young age when I started to watch his beloved Aberaman Athletic and with the likes of Mr Ken Sweet and Mr Richy Edwards we traveled around South Wales supporting the team. I can remember visiting the likes of Tredomen Works, Skewen and Maesteg Park, sides now long gone but never forgotten. Halcyon days indeed and I could not think of a nicer person to spend my afternoons supporting my local team with. “Brian who as we know was secretary of Aberaman for many many years and his reputation as a sincere and honest person within the Welsh football community saw him elected as President of the Football Association of Wales an honour not only that he massively deserved but an honour that we all shared in the Cynon Valley knowing that he had been recognised for his lifetime endeavors. Brian was a family man and a faithful Christian his work as a church warden at St Magrets Church in Aberaman is legendary and for many years I think he would spend as much time there cutting the grass as he would spend time marking the pitch at Aberaman Park. “Brian you will be massively missed and for those of us that had the honour of knowing you all that is left to say now is - thank you Mr Fear. Garry Williams - Chairman of Aberdare Town FC “Brian Fear was a legend in my life, plus he was a legend of the club that was Aberaman Athletic (now called Aberdare Town) - his heart was in the club till he grew his wings along with doing so much for the church in Aberaman not to mention all the things he did for charities and presentations. He was my hero and I really looked up to him for my whole life as he started me playing the lovely game at the age 6 and all ways looked after me and everyone else that spent time with this fantastic club” Anthony Jenkins - former player / coach of ATFC “The word legend is used far too often in football and life more generally but when referring to Brian Fear the word has never been more apt. From the moment I met Brian in 1987 to delivering the Welsh League title for his beloved Aberaman Athletic in 2009 I always felt immensely privileged to know Brian and spend time in his company. Brian will always have a very special place in my heart for the way he looked after me as a raw young goalkeeper in 1987 ensuring that I was picked up and dropped off for each game. Brian’s smile at the end of the Welsh Cup seismic shock victory against Aberystwyth Town in 2002 and his reaction to the title win in 2009 will remain with me for the rest of my life. A true gentleman who gave his everything for Aberaman Athletic, a club that would not even exist without his amazing efforts over 50 years. Brian will be solely missed by everyone in Welsh football and those that knew him, an absolute legend who so many owe so much. RIP Brian.” David Morgan - former player / manager / Chairman of ATFC “Without question Brian Fear is the most popular official that Welsh football, at any level, had produced. A true gentleman who will be greatly missed by the so many who knew him and it was an honour and privilege to have served with him at the Club. RIP Brian” Richard Rowlands - former Chairman of ATFC “ Very sad at the passing of Brian. I’ve known Brian for almost 30 years since I joined Aberaman AFC - he really is a local legend and was a real football man; he’s did so much for Welsh football over the years from grassroots to the very top of the FAW as their President. I’ve been lucky enough to attend lots of games with Brian over the years - and one thing he liked as much as the football was the after-match food or buffet, quite often filling his jacket pockets with sandwiches on the way home! “I remember going to his house around 20 years ago after lots of clubs in the Valley had a minutes silence for him years ago following news of his sad (but luckily untrue!) passing that had spread around the Valley. He had had a heart attack but was thankfully recovering!! We laughed together when he said at least it shows how popular I am and how many people get to see and hear of their own minutes silence!!! After he’d had his quadruple by pass he was fitter than he had ever been and carried on his life at 100 mph! He always boasted to me that he was special as he’d had a quadruple by pass! He’ll be massively missed by all that knew him, his family, football friends and church friends just to name a few. RIP Brian” Steve Pearce - Treasurer of ATFC “Brian was a fantastic man with a great character and always had a story to tell and a smile on his face. He was a stalwart of the club, holding it together through the good times and the tough too. He has done so much for so many people around the Valley and his contribution to Welsh Football will always be remembered. “A football legend and he will be sadly missed” Lee Williams - former player / manager of ATFC “Growing up in Abercwmboi, I was privileged to cross paths with Brian on a regular basis. He always had time to chat about football, especially his beloved Aberaman Athletic and always with a smile on his face. To me he was a celebrity of our village, he knew footballers and officials from clubs that I only got to watch on TV, but as I got older I began to realise that he wasn’t just a celebrity in my little village of Abercwmboi, but he was renowned throughout football as one of the good guys, for his hard work and commitment to the game he loved and those involved in it. “My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues whose lives he undoubtedly made better for knowing him. I hope that they can take some comfort at this difficult time from the outpouring of love and wonderful memories that have been shared today on social media by so many who knew Brian”. David Sweet - Secretary of ATFC Since the news broke today, just by looking on social media, you can see just how respected Brian was throughout football which culminated in his amazing efforts within the local community over so many years being awarded the British Empire Medal in 2012 in the Queens birthday honours list. As a Club we are so grateful to all the well wishers and memories that have been shared and without doubt the loss of Brian will leave a big hole in the Club and will certainly never be forgotten for his contribution to Welsh Football and his love of what is now known as Aberdare Town. Brian, thank you for everything, you will be missed but most importantly will always be remembered as the biggest legend this club will ever have having touched so many lives. Details regarding funeral arrangements will be announced when we know more. FAW Statement: HERE BBC News item: HERE

Published Wednesday 23 February 2022