BFC Technical Director Rob Rowan Passes Away

[Col T]

Absolutely terrible news.

R.I.P. Robert

 

[Parkgatebee]

Tragic news, sincere condolences to his family and all who knew and loved him.
RIP Rob

 

[Banana]

Make no mistake, Rob will be very, very hard to replace. Whenever I speak to "the big three" I am reminded of the very significant contribution that Rob has made to the project as they refuse to take credit themselves for whatever the subject at the time was. Rob has also made great contacts across football, especially in Europe - all of the B Team overseas tours are down to him. You can also work out from twitter that many of the players that have come in are due to him too.

I've never met anyone that had anything but positives about him. For someone in their mid-20s this is remarkable.

A real loss to BFC, but that's rather insignificant right now.

 

[Twickenhamben]

Hugely sad news. Terrible.

 

[North London Bee]

Irreplaceable too although this is not the time to talk about that.

 

[Rogerbeegood]

Terrible news. RIP Rob. Condolences to your family and friends

 

[Infatuated Bees Alter Ego]

Very sad news to hear. RIP and thoughts and prayers to his family.

 

[rebus]

I'm completely stunned by this news. Rob joined the club in 2014 on the recommendation of David Weir and arrived a few weeks after the media team had decamped from the Griffin Park offices to a chilly portakabin at the training ground. We we were both newbies to the Jersey Road environment and bonded over lunchtime canteen chats. He would also bounce into our office on a regular basis, cracking jokes all the time and generally creating chaos; but we all loved his presence that lightened up those cold winter days.

I was fascinated by his back story and full of admiration of what he achieved at such a young age, perhaps even a little envious too in the nicest possible way, for his technical knowledge was superb and the responsibilities he had were normally handed to people twice his age.

When the time came to choose between Team Warbs and Smartodds he wisely opted for the latter and was part of the new broom that swept in over the summer of 2015. Rob then conducted a review of the Academy and bravely backed that it wasn't working and something fresh was needed. Subsequently given the task of organising the games programme for the new B Team, he quite frankly smashed it - getting a fantastic set of clubs to play against at home and abroad, when a few people doubted his credentials to do so.

Through nothing but hard graft he worked his way up to being a well respected member of the Bees hierarchy and an obvious candidate for a DOF in the future, either at Brentford or elsewhere - the future for him was so bright. He was a genuinely lovely guy, a popular member of staff and the training ground will be a poorer place without him. His legacy is a B Team structure which is one of the best in Europe.

My heart goes out to his family and friends, and not to mention his wife. Sleep well, big man. x

 

[CTBee]

Absolutely awful news, my thoughts are with his friends and family.

RIP Rob and thank you for everything you did for the BFC family.

 

[Lush55]

Just seen this.......awful.....my condolences to Rob's family and friends.
I echo all said on previous pages and thank Rebus for giving a such lovely tribute to Rob.
RIP Rob.

 

[GP200]

.............Ever so sad news...........RIP Rob...............

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

So sorry for the young man and his family. Very sad news.

 

[Mr Cynical]

Only just seen this. Absolutely horrendous news. So sad. Had an incredibly bright future in the game. Heart goes out to everyone at the club and all his family.

 

[sonofabee]

Make no mistake, Rob will be very, very hard to replace. Whenever I speak to "the big three" I am reminded of the very significant contribution that Rob has made to the project as they refuse to take credit themselves for whatever the subject at the time was. Rob has also made great contacts across football, especially in Europe - all of the B Team overseas tours are down to him. You can also work out from twitter that many of the players that have come in are due to him too.

I've never met anyone that had anything but positives about him. For someone in their mid-20s this is remarkable.

A real loss to BFC, but that's rather insignificant right now.

RIP Rob

Thanks for the clarity Nana

 

[sonofabee]

I'm completely stunned by this news. Rob joined the club in 2014 on the recommendation of David Weir and arrived a few weeks after the media team had decamped from the Griffin Park offices to a chilly portakabin at the training ground. We we were both newbies to the Jersey Road environment and bonded over lunchtime canteen chats. He would also bounce into our office on a regular basis, cracking jokes all the time and generally creating chaos; but we all loved his presence that lightened up those cold winter days.

I was fascinated by his back story and full of admiration of what he achieved at such a young age, perhaps even a little envious too in the nicest possible way, for his technical knowledge was superb and the responsibilities he had were normally handed to people twice his age.

When the time came to choose between Team Warbs and Smartodds he wisely opted for the latter and was part of the new broom that swept in over the summer of 2015. Rob then conducted a review of the Academy and bravely backed that it wasn't working and something fresh was needed. Subsequently given the task of organising the games programme for the new B Team, he quite frankly smashed it - getting a fantastic set of clubs to play against at home and abroad, when a few people doubted his credentials to do so.

Through nothing but hard graft he worked his way up to being a well respected member of the Bees hierarchy and an obvious candidate for a DOF in the future, either at Brentford or elsewhere - the future for him was so bright. He was a genuinely lovely guy, a popular member of staff and the training ground will be a poorer place without him. His legacy is a B Team structure which is one of the best in Europe.

My heart goes out to his family and friends, and not to mention his wife. Sleep well, big man. x

Lovely words

 

[FlyBee]

I'm completely stunned by this news. Rob joined the club in 2014 on the recommendation of David Weir and arrived a few weeks after the media team had decamped from the Griffin Park offices to a chilly portakabin at the training ground. We we were both newbies to the Jersey Road environment and bonded over lunchtime canteen chats. He would also bounce into our office on a regular basis, cracking jokes all the time and generally creating chaos; but we all loved his presence that lightened up those cold winter days.

I was fascinated by his back story and full of admiration of what he achieved at such a young age, perhaps even a little envious too in the nicest possible way, for his technical knowledge was superb and the responsibilities he had were normally handed to people twice his age.

When the time came to choose between Team Warbs and Smartodds he wisely opted for the latter and was part of the new broom that swept in over the summer of 2015. Rob then conducted a review of the Academy and bravely backed that it wasn't working and something fresh was needed. Subsequently given the task of organising the games programme for the new B Team, he quite frankly smashed it - getting a fantastic set of clubs to play against at home and abroad, when a few people doubted his credentials to do so.

Through nothing but hard graft he worked his way up to being a well respected member of the Bees hierarchy and an obvious candidate for a DOF in the future, either at Brentford or elsewhere - the future for him was so bright. He was a genuinely lovely guy, a popular member of staff and the training ground will be a poorer place without him. His legacy is a B Team structure which is one of the best in Europe.

My heart goes out to his family and friends, and not to mention his wife. Sleep well, big man. x

Lovely tribute Rebus.

 

[footman]

Tragic news, he will be missed by so many people.

 

[David Brentford]

Utterly shocking news. Can’t quite take it in

RIP Rob

 

[BEEcool]

Desperately sad.

Thoughts with family and friends.

Rest in peace.

 

[beenthere]

Just 28, very sad day.

 

[Nige150]

Shocking and tragic news. So young to be taken away. It’s heartbresking. Many condolences to his family and friends. RIP.

 

[daddybee]

Just unbelievable.
RIP Rob

 

[BaildonBee]

Such awful news. So so sad. Thoughts with this friends and family. RIP.

 

[Normo]

Awful news. RIP.

 

[davewfilms]

Shocking news taken so young RIP Robert

 

[andy58bee]

Started reading this but had to walk away to compose myself. So sad for Rob and his family. Hopefully the Brentford family will rally round those left behind. RIP young man.

 

[Owlsmoor_Bee]

http://www.beesunited.org.uk/news/589-bbes-united-tribute-to-rob-rowan

To echo the words of Nana and Rebus about not only how talented Rob was, but how much of a decent and genuine guy he was perceived to be by so many at the club.

 

[PhilE]

Terribly sad news.

Condolences to his family that must be devestated.

RIP Rob

 

[PJ]

Tragic news.

RIP

 

[Guildford Bee]

Humbling to read the comments on Twitter from the players and ex-players who knew him and he understandably seemed to have a big impact on many youngsters some of whom have now moved on like Ilias.

Nice words from the likes of Scott Hogan, Harlee Dean and John Egan as well.

Still absolutely shocked.

 

[Awaysocks]

Awful news, such a talented young man, deepest condolences to Robs family and friends. RIP

 

[AB]

A desperately sad day. It was touching to see how many of the condolences on FB and twitter have been from supporters of other clubs and in particular from QPR.

 

[sonnyjim]

Sad news
RIP...

 

[Rubenhutchinson]

RIP. Far too young. My condolences to his family and friends

 

[Babbelfish]

Awful, very sad news. RIP

 

[Mudbone]

My deepest condolences to Robert's immediate family.

Far too young. RIP

 

[The Pipe]

Everything has already been said, all I can do is add my condolences to his family and friends.

RIP to a truly good guy

 

[Guildford Bee]

A desperately sad day. It was touching to see how many of the condolences on FB and twitter have been from supporters of other clubs and in particular from QPR.

Indeed. And also the tweets from clubs like Leicester, Rangers, Celtic, West Ham, Huddersfield, Watford...

 

[BeehindU]

So sudden, so shocking, so sad. RIP.

 

[Beezy]

Tragic. RIP Rob and huge condolences and love to your Family and friends.

 

[southcoastbee]

Awful news. RIP Rob. Thoughts are with family and friends

 

[jlove]

Just spotted this. Quite a moving tribute from BBC Sport Scotland's Richard Winton.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46197440

 

[big neil]

RIP
Obviously a very well liked young man.

 

[Banana]

Some very nice tweets from Ted Knutson, including these

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1062452419832041478

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1062453036054953989

 

[psg150]

Not sure what to say, just want to send my love to his family right now. RIP Rob.

 

[Sting Dem]

Sorry to hear the sad news. My heart goes out to the family and friends, RIP Rob.

 

[alikat]

Obviously a highly respected and likeable bloke who will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family and friends. RIP, young man.

 

[Edmundo]

This is devastatingly sad news. No one should die so young.

 

[TW3Bee]

Seeing all the tributes from other clubs and former players shows how respected Robert was.

 

[brianbee]

Very sad news, 28 is no age at all, his life hadn't really got started R.I.P. Rob and sincere condolences to all your family and friends.