JimLevack
JimLevack
Ian Levack - RIP
It is with deep sadness that I have to record the untimely passing of my father Ian Levack this week.
Many years ago my dad brought me to my first game at Griffin Park aged five months.
He used to sit me on his lap and whenever Brentford scored and all around him leapt from their seats, he remained sitting for fear of waking me.
He was keeping up the family tradition - my grandad and grandma were season ticket holders who religiously made the trip from Alperton to see their beloved Bees.
When they died he ensured the bug stayed with me and it does to this day.
I always stood with my mates at Brentford but each game the rituals were the same - look across to Block D to see his big frame and then meet him afterwards in the forecourt.
It will never be quite the same for me now.
Those who knew him will testify he was passionate about his Brentford and even in current times when apathy is the enemy, he was up for the fight to make sure his club pulled out of this temporary lull.
Anyone who wasn't prepared to dig their heels in and fight for the future was egged along...including me.
Every Christmas my boys got the same presents - Brentford shirts - and he made sure they will keep the tradition going.
He was a lovely, kind man who made people who knew him smile and I will miss him as a dad, as a fellow Bees sufferer but most importantly as my best mate.
He leaves me, my wife and three grandchildren Nick (14), Alex (12) and Jess (seven) whom he doted on to the very end.
He died from a heart attack playing tennis in Ealing - close to where was born in Boston Manor and near his spiritual home - at the age of 73.
I have had so many kind messages from people connected with Brentford - and that, above all else, is what makes our club so great.
Like my grandad, he will make one last pass by Griffin Park next week as we head to Mortlake.
Up the Bees.
Many years ago my dad brought me to my first game at Griffin Park aged five months.
He used to sit me on his lap and whenever Brentford scored and all around him leapt from their seats, he remained sitting for fear of waking me.
He was keeping up the family tradition - my grandad and grandma were season ticket holders who religiously made the trip from Alperton to see their beloved Bees.
When they died he ensured the bug stayed with me and it does to this day.
I always stood with my mates at Brentford but each game the rituals were the same - look across to Block D to see his big frame and then meet him afterwards in the forecourt.
It will never be quite the same for me now.
Those who knew him will testify he was passionate about his Brentford and even in current times when apathy is the enemy, he was up for the fight to make sure his club pulled out of this temporary lull.
Anyone who wasn't prepared to dig their heels in and fight for the future was egged along...including me.
Every Christmas my boys got the same presents - Brentford shirts - and he made sure they will keep the tradition going.
He was a lovely, kind man who made people who knew him smile and I will miss him as a dad, as a fellow Bees sufferer but most importantly as my best mate.
He leaves me, my wife and three grandchildren Nick (14), Alex (12) and Jess (seven) whom he doted on to the very end.
He died from a heart attack playing tennis in Ealing - close to where was born in Boston Manor and near his spiritual home - at the age of 73.
I have had so many kind messages from people connected with Brentford - and that, above all else, is what makes our club so great.
Like my grandad, he will make one last pass by Griffin Park next week as we head to Mortlake.
Up the Bees.