Tributes paid to Coleraine FC President Andrew Magowan MBE - ‘an absolute gentleman’

He had been a long serving managing director of Garvagh based heavy plant company TBF Thompson Ltd, retiring in 2016. The year before he had been awarded the MBE for services to Economic Development.   

Mr Magowan, 76, passed away peacefully at home on Station Road in Garvagh on Boxing Day. He is survived by his wife Betty and their children, Tanya, Paul and Philip.

Coleraine Football Club paid tribute to their president, saying everyone associated with the club were “deeply saddened” at the news.

Chairman Colin McKendry said: “History will remember the impact Andy had at our club, he was there when we needed him the most. He will be deeply missed by everyone”.

Describing him as “an absolute gentleman”, the club’s manager Oran Kearney echoed the description of him used by many others.

“Andy was an absolute gentleman and always was there for words of wisdom in good times and bad,” he said. “He will be sorely missed by us all and thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Mr Magowan was also a long serving elder of First Garvagh Presbyterian Church, which issued a statement expressing their deep regret at the passing of their “faithful elder and former Kirk of Session” and expressing sympathy to his family.

The church’s minister, Rev Mark Donald, said he had lost a personal friend, whom he deeply respected.

“His church and faith was most significant in how Andrew conducted his life and business and he was widely respected in everything he did as a gentleman,” he told the News Letter.

”He even saw his involvement in Coleraine FC as an important opportunity to reach out to others about faith. His faith influenced how he conducted everything that he did and it is what he is known and respected for in the community.”

Rev Donald said the church would have been packed with mourners for the funeral, which takes place tomorrow, December 29. However, he said that due to pandemic restrictions it will remain strictly private.

The TBF and KL Thompson Trust in Garvagh expressed their sincere sympathy to their trustee, Mr Magowan’s wife Betty, and to her family, describing Andy as “a devoted father and grandfather”.

Ballynahinch United FC also paid tribute, noting that Mr Magowan was originally from the town and that his nephew Ryan was a former player at the club.

The club recounted how well treated they were by Mr Magowan and his fellow club directors and officials when they met in the 4th round of the Irish Cup in 2013.

Broadcaster Alan Simpson was one of many who paid their tributes on Coleraine FC’s Facebook page, saying Mr Magowan would be “sorely missed” and describing him as “a steadfast gentleman and one of those people that always had a kind word”.

Another supporter who paid tribute was Brigid Kearney. “Andy was one of life’s gentlemen,” she said. “Always a friendly word and a smile. It won’t be the same without him at the games.”

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