A tribute to Andy McDade, from Team Manager David Howell.

Last Friday I went to the funeral of Andy McDade to pay my respects. Andy for a period of time was a Physiotherapist at Harrow Borough FC but was also known to all the supporters and club members for the many hours he spent socially at Earlsmead.

At his funeral amongst his family and friends were many people from the football world also paying their final respects.

I was a player when he joined Barnet from Southampton, appointed by Barry Fry the former manager and now Managing Director of Peterborough Town FC. I will always remember Andy’s very strong Scottish accent and his infectious laughter.

I only found out he was suffering from cancer last year and I felt that the operations and the chemotherapy treatment had been taking its toll on him.

Many years ago I took my Mother to see Andy as he tried to relieve some arthritis in her legs. Since then he has never missed an opportunity to enquire about her health. Unfortunately six months ago my Mother was diagnosed with cancer. On one occasion when I was taking her to Hammersmith Hospital for her chemotherapy treatment I met Andy in the hospital car park. He was also there to receive chemotherapy treatment. We chatted for ages about the good old times.

He still found it difficult to believe the amount of well-wishers and support shown when Harrow Boro FC held a benefit evening on his behalf at Earlsmead back in October 2006.

Nearly a year later we were at his funeral to pay our final respects. At his funeral I shed a tear when they played ‘Flower of Scotland’ and ‘you’ll never walk alone’ as I could visualise Andy singing along out of tune in his strong Scottish accent…

Dave Howell
(Owsy)