RIP Reg Brearley

[AlienWoodward]

Being reported our former chairman has died.
I have good memories of his ownership.
RIP Reg.

 

[SW12 to S12 to S18]

Very much a fans chairman, always had time for Reg. Thanks for everything. RIP.

 

[Lower Drop Blade]

RIP Reg....once a Blade always a Blade

 

[Pedro Verde]

RIP Chairman Reg

 

[JFK]

I don't recall when I first thought Reg was dead, but it was certainly before today.
Rest in peace old chap.

 

[originaltrueblade]

RIP Reg we needed a good chairman at the time and thankfully we got Reg. condolences to all the family & A Great big thank you for you being at the Helm to steer us through

 

[Blade for Sale]

Oversaw some fantastic times to be a Blade. RIP Reg and thanks for the Bassett era.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

RIP Reg
Dread to think where we would be if he hadn't come along after Relegation to the 4th Division.

 

[Digs blade]

Wasn’t a bad owner.

Remember him giving Porterfield the 10 year contract which I’d imagine was the longest contract in football at that time

 

[DronnieBlade]

RIP Chairman.

Utb

 

[Eyeball]

RIP Chairman.

Utb

Mostly great times after he took over RIP mr brearley

 

[HarryHaslam]

God Bless Chairman

Gave us all some great memories, RIP Reg.

 

[Argentinemanager]

RIP chairmam, thoughts go out to family and friends, once a blade always a blade

 

[UTB Blade]

Aah, that's sad news.

I remember, as a child, meeting Mr Brearley when he was promoting his plans for an updated, expanded Bramall Lane. He seemed like a lovely man, with loads of time for the fans.

That must be forty years ago, or more, and I still vividly remember both his passion for the project, and his patience for explaining it, even to young children like myself.

Such a shame that the council wouldn't let him go ahead with the project.
I've been convinced of Sheffield City Council's bias against us as a club ever since.

RIP, Chairman Brearley.
Condolences to your family and your friends.

A gentleman passed this way.

 

[1973Blade]

RIP, was popular in his early years with us, particularly in the fourth division season.

 

[JJ Sefton]

When my dad got an accountancy qualification in the 70s, Brealey gave him the certificate.

Claim to fame.

 

[Ivanhoe]

R.I.P. Mr Brearley, thanks for the memories, it was really appreciated...

 

[sheff_blade90]

very sad news about reg brearley, way before my time, but from relatives older than me that were going at the time. have always talk in glowing terms about him & how he saved us in the 4th division

 

[Eggy]

Before my time but a lot of blades seem to have fond memories of him. RIP Reg

 

[Westran]

My nan worked in the kitchens when Reg was chairman, I remember going down with her on the day season tickets went on sale, she took me to see him and he was sat in a room with a massive table full of cash from the season ticket sales. He was a nice bloke, treat my nan really well. RIP

 

[Plymouthblade]

RIP Reg x

 

[atlanticblade]

Aah, that's sad news.

I remember, as a child, meeting Mr Brearley when he was promoting his plans for an updated, expanded Bramall Lane. He seemed like a lovely man, with loads of time for the fans.

That must be forty years ago, or more, and I still vividly remember both his passion for the project, and his patience for explaining it, even to young children like myself.

Such a shame that the council wouldn't let him go ahead with the project.
I've been convinced of Sheffield City Council's bias against us as a club ever since.

RIP, Chairman Brearley.
Condolences to your family and your friends.

A gentleman passed this way.

I spent an evening with Peter Wigley, Sheffield City Council Publicity Officer, in Norton House Country Club after the council had turned down our plans, with
private funding, for the updated, expanded Bramall Lane Ground. He was very angry and said there was no chance of it happening with the Wednesday fanatical
Council. He said they hated United with a passion. There would have been no need for the Don Valley white elephant of which we have only recently finished
paying a French bank off at exhorbitant interest rates.

 

[knowsnowt]

Bloody hell.
R. I. P.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

Played a big part in turning around our fortunes bringing in Porterfield & bank rolling great signings like Edwards , Morris , Stancliffe & Cockerill to name a few . Always remember when we played Darlington at The Lane who were in dire straits financially in the 4th Division & he donated the gate receipts . Was a very good chairman for us RIP Reg

 

[Gin&Juice]

rip Reg. Might not have Sheff U if it wasn’t for him.

 

[1973Blade]

One of those names people spell incorrectly, it is Brealey not Brearley.

 

[Blackheath Blade]

Extremely sad news. In my opinion, the man who effectively saved Sheffield United FC in the early 80s.
God bless Mr Brealey and thank you for all your devotion to The Blades. RIP.

 

[ancientblade]

very sad news great chairman back in the day and fought hard against a totally bias pig based council for improvements to the lane r.i.p. reg

 

[Grey Blade]

I only started watching United whilst a student in Sheffield during the early 1970s. By the time Reg Brealey became involved I was living in Orkney and he was chairman when I returned to the area in 1986. In all honesty I didn't know too much about him but I do remember that his appointment of Dave Bassett led to a very exciting 'up and at'em' style of football - so fans of that era had a lot to thank him for. This article from the United website gives a good account of Reg's time at the Lane:

'The club has been informed that former Blades chairman, Reg Brealey, has sadly passed away.

He joined the Blades board in 1981 - one of the darkest periods in our history - as United were sliding into the bottom division of the English Football League.

After witnessing the incredible support the ailing team received, even away from home, he was convinced that the club's fortunes could be revived. His underwriting of a share issue raised badly needed funds which enabled the appointment of Ian Porterfield as manager with licence to oversee an incredible recruitment drive.

The arrival of Keith Edwards, Colin Morris and Keith Waugh, amongst others, propelled the team to the Fourth Division Championship in style at the first attempt; Brealey's promised rebuild was on its way.

He was responsible for the completion of the South Stand, giving Bramall Lane an important start in the modernisation of the ground. Facilities such as the Social Club, Executive Lounge, Club Shop and Ticketing Office were to become invaluable both in terms of cashflow and customer experience, all on one site.

The vision and plans for the Bramall Lane Centre development would have given the city one of the best stadiums of its time in the country, but planning permission was sadly refused and an opportunity missed.

Years later Brealey's appointment of manager Dave Bassett heralded further success on the field and, as chair, Reg eventually presided over four promotions and two relegations, leaving in 1991. He served for a short spell two years later.

Management, players and backroom staff remember a kind, genuine family man who loved the club and genuinely cared how people were treated. He was refreshingly progressive and did his best for the Blades despite encountering some trying times.

Sheffield United sends sympathy and support to the Brealey family at this sad time. We won't forget that Reg stepped in at the time we needed it most and delivered back our self-respect.'

 

[Jon Bon II]

RIP Mr Chairman.

Definitely was the knight in shining armour that saved the club from possible oblivion. Enjoyed some great days under Reg. Lower leagues, yes, but from a time when loyalty points and all seater stadia were just the stuff of a madman's dreams and you could rock up at any ground on the day and pay cash to get in. Thanks for the great memories Mr Chairman.