Maynard Hanna
It is with deep sadness and regret that Lisburn Distillery Football Club has learned of the death of our former club secretary, supporter and friend, Maynard Hanna.
Maynard succeeded Freddie Robinson as secretary around 1993, a position he held for three years, which of course included the memorable Gold Cup victory in November 1993.
He certainly made his mark here at the club, a real character in so many respects. As well as supporting The Whites, Maynard was a big Evertonian and a genuine football man – he once had a letter published in the Belfast Telegraph extolling the qualities of England and West Ham great Trevor Brooking after dining with him here in Northern Ireland.
A proud Kilkeel, and Mourne, man through and through, a former policeman, Maynard also had a fishing boat and captain’s licence, that led to much good-humoured banter on the sidelines. Older Distillery supporters will remember the “The Silver Herring” bar/restaurant (in Kilkeel) advert that appeared in our “Whites” matchday programme thanks to him, and a game where he had arranged for a local pipe band to provide the pre-match entertainment.
And away from football Maynard was a huge advocate, at home, in America and beyond, of Ulster-Scots – he worked for the Ulster-Scots Agency for nine years before retiring in 2015.
But he did continue with some part-time work and around a year ago he was in contact with us regarding matchball sponsorship, whilst working with shipping traffic on Carlingford Lough as part of the Port Control Team at Warrenpoint which he enjoyed.
He will be deeply missed by those who knew him, none more so of course than his family and friends. The club extends its deepest sympathies to his wife Anne and children Colin, Philip, Karl and Shakira, and the wider family circle at this sad and difficult time, and in the days ahead.
His funeral takes place tomorrow, Tuesday 12th March, in Mourne Presbyterian Church, Kilkeel, at 2.00 pm.