Members of Massey Ferguson Runners Club were shocked to learn on Thursday morning 11 February that their former long standing Chairman, Terry Brown had died following a short illness.
Terry Brown was one of the founding members of the Massey Ferguson Runners Club in 1977 and went on to be its Chairman until 2012.
His drive and enthusiasm saw the club grow in numbers over the years. Terry designed the distinctive red and white quarters running vest for the club. MFRC joined the Birmingham Cross Country League in 1980 and Terry competed in the League until 1993 making 52 appearances of which 50 were consecutive.
His organisation skills were renowned when putting on road races over the years. Masseys used to host a Birmingham League race each year at Woodlands School across the road from the Massey Ferguson factory. In February 1991, the Division 2 match was due to take place. Heavy snow the night before put paid to many sporting fixtures in the Midlands. Terry was going to make sure the fixture went ahead. So, he borrowed a tractor from the factory fitted on a snow plough that the company had and drove round the course clearing the route for the runners. Terry then ran in the race !
After putting his spikes away Terry and his wife Chris would be seen at all the Birmingham League fixtures supporting MFRC and runners from the other clubs.
In January Terry and Chris were at Blackbridge, Gloucester for the Division 2 match cheering on the runners as usual.
So, it was with great sadness that when the Division 2 match was again at Blackbridge, Gloucester, hosted by Gloucester AC on Saturday no Terry was there. It was fitting that prior to the start all runners and officials remembered Terry Brown with a round of applause.
Our thoughts are with Terry’s family – wife Chris, daughters Debra and Leila and their families.