RIP Brian London

That’s a shame.
RIP Brian. Local legend.

Bumped into him outside the West stand a few years ago. He was wearing a proper scruffy jumper, but still an imposing figure given his age.
 
Wizzerboy said:
Just turned 87 a couple of days ago.
Used to have his breakfast at Blackpool park golf club and could always be seen jogging round the park.
The only person I've ever seen throw someone UP a flight of stairs 😲
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Yea last time I saw him was last year sat outside Stanley park Cafe just watching the world go by….RIP Brian.
 
Knew him well when he had the 007 club, genuine bloke, strong as an ox, used to carry the barrels up three flights of stairs.
 
I used to see him all the time as a kid jogging past my Mum & Dads house on Newton Drive.
I think back then he lived on Albion Ave?? on the corner of North Park Drive.
Used to go to his club (007 on Topping St??) in my teenage years.
RIP Big Man
 
RIP Brian. His second fight with Henry Cooper was a classic brutal bout that had Cooper saying years later he had never felt so much pain in his career than from the bruises inflicted on him. Brian floored former World Champ Ingemar Johansson in the final round but Johansson was saved by the bell and won on points. Then there is the infamous Brawl In Porthcawl with Dick Richardson- available to see on You Tube- when at the end of the bout all hell was let loose with Brian’s dad and brother and Brian himself brawling with Richardson’s seconds.
 
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I saw him not so long ago and he didn't look too good.

A true gent and a sad loss, a true local legend as others have said.

I like all the stories particularly how he always said good morning and hello to people.

One of my pals was walking on Topping Street one Christmas and it had been snowing, Brian was jogging and slipped as he ran past him, my pal said, "On the floor again Brian" and then chit himself as Brian got up - my pal is 5ft 7 and 9 stone wet through.

Brian got up and smiled before shaking his hand and wishing him a merry Christmas.


RIP

God Bless
 
RIP Brian
Blackpool legend and big BFC supporter.
I played football against him is my claim to fame!
 
Wizzerboy said:
Just turned 87 a couple of days ago.
Used to have his breakfast at Blackpool park golf club and could always be seen jogging round the park.
The only person I've ever seen throw someone UP a flight of stairs 😲
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Yes me on one occasion, 007 a long long time ago 😀 never saw him lose his rag, always very controlled
 
I lived on Albion Ave early 80.s and would see Brian most mornings jogging from his home round the corner on North Park Drive on his way to the paper shop. Always took time to say hello a true gent

RIP Big man
 
I've seen him jogging round the park a few times over the years & on the 007 door donkeys years ago. RIP a true Blackpool character.
 
WyrePool said:
I lived on Albion Ave early 80.s and would see Brian most mornings jogging from his home round the corner on North Park Drive on his way to the paper shop. Always took time to say hello a true gent

RIP Big man
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Yes , My Mum and dad bought the house he used to live in , I lived in it for a few months . There was a gymnasium in the back garden where he used to train . My parents changed it into a laundry room , he wasnt impressed when he found out !
Later he bought a house on North Park Drive .

RIP
 
Very sad news, got a lovely 'good morning' from him on way to Victoria H a few years ago.

Used to be friends with his nephew John at Devy Rd.

RIP Brian
'
 
Went to watch him train at Pontins before his fight with Ali in 1966 and saw him regularly at BR. RIP Brian a true Blackpool legend.
 
Insider said:
I used to see him all the time as a kid jogging past my Mum & Dads house on Newton Drive.
I think back then he lived on Albion Ave?? on the corner of North Park Drive.
Used to go to his club (007 on Topping St??) in my teenage years.
RIP Big Man
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Yes, he had Be Lucky (BL) etched into the glass door.
 
I knew Brian mainly from Saturday nights in the Winter Gardens Ballroom. Was in a group which also included Kenny Regan, a welter weight who fought for the UK title. A few hardmen in that crowd (I wasn't one of them) and lots of punch-ups. However, Brian never got involved. (Neither did I 😉 ).
Also Brian played football with brother Jack on Wednesdays in a team run by my mate, Norman Parker. One day Brian was in strict training for a big fight so he couldn't play. Norman asked me so I played. Jack was also in the team. Unfortunately we lost 1-0, the only goal being a clearance header by me, which somehow went the wrong way, O.G.🙄
Jack, who also boxed professionally , was not happy.
RIP Brian. A great guy.
 
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Mended his central heating boiler a while back during a cold snap and he showed me round the house on North Park Drive . Some of the photos he had with celebrities over the years were fantastic and he seamed really proud of them from Frank Sinatra to the Beatles.He had a punch bag hanging in the garage and as he hit it the sound it made wow scary stuff . What a pleasant guy he was as others have said RIP Brian
 
Very sad to hear and there have been hundreds of great stories about him over his life,and everyone respected the man and the legend. RIP and thanks for helping raise the profile of the town ands giving it a bit of glitter and sparkle.
 
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