Linfield are ‘deeply shocked’ by the untimely death of their ‘beloved friend’ and club physiotherapist Paul Butler

Linfield Football Club has been left “deeply shocked” following the untimely death of the club’s physiotherapist Paul Butler. The Blues paid a moving tribute to Mr Butler on the club’s social media channels on Friday afternoon.

He was a key member of David Healy’s side at Windsor Park. Linfield led the tributes to Mr Butler in passing on their “deepest and sincere condolences” to his family.

“The directors, manager, staff and players of Linfield Football Club deeply regret the untimely passing of our beloved friend and club physiotherapist, Paul Butler,” the message read. “We were all deeply shocked to hear the news of Paul’s passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his wife and family at this sad time.”

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News of Mr Butler’s passing comes after the sudden death of lifelong fan Gary Galbraith last Thursday. Gary followed his beloved Blues home and away and volunteered at the club for more than 20 years.

He was an integral part of Radio Linfield, providing well-curated music playlists for broadcast. Jonathan Lamont and Peter Mullan, who helped Gary with the show, paid special tribute to their friend on the Linfield website.

“Gary started supporting the Blues at a young age and could remember games going back to Manchester City’s famous win at Windsor Park,” they said. “He had a great knowledge of the club’s history and could recount information in great detail.

“He remembers being in Dundalk on that infamous night in 1979 and being one of the few people to get into the game when a David Jeffrey goal at Shamrock Rovers took us through to the next round in Europe. Gary rarely missed a game home or away and on occasion would travel with supporters clubs, including East End LSC, and for most of the last 30 years with his friend Jonathan Lamont.

“At the height of the fanzine boom in the 1990s, Gary started and was editor of Linfield’s One Team fanzine in Ulster, which many fans still talk about today. When Radio Linfield was set up, Gary was there from the start. Jonathan and Peter would do the announcing and running while Gary was the music man, spending the week putting together a playlist, with the occasional dodgy song thrown in depending on the opposition!

“Gary was a valued volunteer at the club for over 20 years and would still occasionally help out if required on a match day. In recent years Gary has suffered a period of ill health from which he has recovered. He was particularly delighted to travel to Mourneview Park to watch the Blues defeat Larne to win the Irish Cup in 2021 – his only game of that season.

“Gary will be greatly missed at Linfield and we appreciate all the messages sent to his family and friends. To his mother Ethel, his wife Heather, his sister Alyson, his nephews Daniel and Cameron, the family circle and his many friends, we send our deepest condolences. AFJ.”

Gary had an extensive knowledge of Blues history and in the 1990s he launched and edited the Linfield fanzine ‘One Team in Ulster’. He also founded the Linfield History Society, which has a tribute on its official ‘X’ account.

“It is with the deepest sadness that we learn of the passing of our founding member Gary Galbraith,” they said. “Gaz was a great Blueman, great company and an authority on many Linfield games and players. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

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