The 2013 prizegiving marked the first presentation of the very prestigious Brian Deans Memorial Award. The coaches nominated players based on criteria such as hard work, sportsmanship, respect, and leadership.
The nominations were Mason, Kaylen, Olivia, Zac, and Shaun. The winner was Olivia, who consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, teamwork, and a willingness to learn.
The coach said of Olivia: “Okay, my nomination for the Brian Deans Memorial Award is Olivia.
I feel like Olivia deserves this because of her continuous hard work during training and games. Olivia ended up with an injury, yet still appeared to training to make sure she didn’t miss anything, as well as travelling to games. She’s come back to football stronger than ever, giving her absolute all.
Olivia is a great team player – she’s always backing someone if they have made a mistake or aren’t having the best night. She respects coaches and officials and takes on any advice that’s given to her and is always wanting to learn more.”
Rhys spoke highly of Brian Deans, saying:
“Today, we come together not just to honour a game we all love, but to remember someone who lived and breathed it on and off the field. Brian was more than just a footballer. From a young age, football wasn’t just a sport for him, it was a passion, a purpose, and a way of life. Whether it was kicking a ball around as a boy, proudly pulling on a jersey for his club, or pacing the sidelines, Brian gave his heart to this game in every way.
As a father to two incredible sons, Mark and Ryan, he was their biggest fan and their first hero. He led by example, showing them how to work hard, how to treat people with respect, and how to love deeply. He passed on his love of the game to them by showing them what it means to be part of a team, to never give up, and to lead with kindness and strength. Whether he was teaching them to throw a football, helping with schoolwork, or simply being present, his pride in them was visible in everything he did. His lessons will live on in the men they continue to become.
As a husband, to Caroline, he was devoted, loyal, and loving. The kind of partner who stood by your side in storms and in sunshine. His love was not just in words, but in the little things – the way he listened, the way he supported, the way he showed up, day after day. His marriage was a partnership grounded in love and mutual respect – the kind of love that builds a home and anchors a family.
He had a quiet strength, a humble spirit, and a sense of humour that could light up a room. He didn’t need to be the loudest voice – he led with integrity, and people followed him because they believed in who he was. On the field and at home, he gave his all.”
John Gillespie added:
“Things would not have run as smooth as they did without guys like Brian. Back then, when asked, some parents would take to the hills, but not Brian – he would run at us and jump in with both feet to help. This was for anything, including fundraising, training, and most importantly, for rural football away days. He was always there to help on away days, always on the sideline, even if the sideline was in Prestwick. He was a genuinely nice guy.
Brian Deans – he was genuinely one of the good guys. Humble – not a word we can honestly use to its full description nowadays, but humble Brian was. It wasn’t until I started to sit down and gather all the information about Brian that I found out about his achievements… He coached at Lochgilphead Red Star with Ryan and achieved the youth league and league cup as a double.”
Norrie Thomson, Pupils Head Coach, also shared some heartfelt words:
Brian was the Pupils best supporter if he wasnt there with his buddy Charles, it was Caroline, but you could be assured Brian wasn’t going to miss it. That man didn’t miss games – he was totally football-orientated and would have done anything to help the pupils.
Norrie passed on a funny story about Brian – I have been travelling to play football in and around Glasgow for the last 33 years, so I have a very good understanding of where I am going. But arriving at any park to play, Brian was always the first one there, standing as if to say, ‘What took you?’ I still don’t understand how he managed it.
(Caroline since informed us, it was because of her.
Ryan would have only been 16/17 when joining the pupils, but both Lochgilphead and Ardencaple wanted him to sign with them for another year. Going by the way Brian was, he signed with us a year early.
Rhys -Brian was a genuinely nice guy. I hope everyone can now see why I hold Brian in such high regard. Everything he has done for the game on and off the pitch, the kind words that everyone has expressed about him, and I hope you all agree why I chose him and his family to forever represent the most prestigious award at 9-aside in Campbeltown Football.”
Thank you very much to the Deans family.
