Brian Usher RIP

[The Red Baron]

Brian Usher,  who died on 3rd January aged 80, was a member of the first Rovers team I watched.  I'm sure more fans of a similar vintage to me will have memories of Brian.

[In the box]

Brian Usher,  who died on 3rd January aged 80, was a member of the first Rovers team I watched.  I'm sure more fans of a similar vintage to me will have memories of Brian.

Brian was one of the stand out players when I first went to watch along with Archie Irvine . Sad day for the Rovers Family .

[drfchound]

I remember him well too.
A class player.

[Ian Nimmo]

I became friends with Brian in 1981, and therefore it is with great sadness that I post  this.
Brain started his career at Sunderland in 1959 and in the 63/64 season he was a regular in the side which gained promotion to the top flight division 1. Whilst i never saw him play, he loved speaking about his time at Sunderland, I remember him telling me about the players in the team, which included Stan Anderson at centre half and Brian Clough at centre forward.
In 1965 he was signed by his old manager Alan Brown who has moved from Sunderland to Wednesday who were also in the top division. My dad used to take to Hillsborough when the big sides were playing and i remember Brian playing for them.
When he joined us in 1968, i thought wow and he did became on of my favourite players. He was a very quick and skilful left winger and whilst he didn’t score many he certainly made it easy for others with his accurate crosses.
We had a very good team at that time.
Lots of memories of Brian playing in some great games.

My thoughts are with Brian’s wife, sons and their families, who all continue to support the rovers.

[tommy toes]

R I P Brian.
One of the all time Rovers greats.

[ForsolongaRover]

This news came up a day or two ago in “A tug on the heartstrings for older fans.”

[roversdude]

In the Box - my favourite player when I first watched Rovers peering over the wall on the Pop side.
A few years ago I worked with a geordie guy who was really good friends with Brian and told some amazing tales of him

[Usher wide.]

I became friends with Brian in 1981, and therefore it is with great sadness that I post  this.
Brain started his career at Sunderland in 1959 and in the 63/64 season he was a regular in the side which gained promotion to the top flight division 1. Whilst i never saw him play, he loved speaking about his time at Sunderland, I remember him telling me about the players in the team, which included Stan Anderson at centre half and Brian Clough at centre forward.
In 1965 he was signed by his old manager Alan Brown who has moved from Sunderland to Wednesday who were also in the top division. My dad used to take to Hillsborough when the big sides were playing and i remember Brian playing for them.
When he joined us in 1968, i thought wow and he did became on of my favourite players. He was a very quick and skilful left winger and whilst he didn’t score many he certainly made it easy for others with his accurate crosses.
We had a very good team at that time.
Lots of memories of Brian playing in some great games.

My thoughts are with Brian’s wife, sons and their families, who all continue to support the rovers.

Thanks for that post Ian on behalf of all those who admired Brian Usher in what ever capacity they knew him, I’m sure all our thoughts are with his wife & family.

RIP Brian. I’ll never forget you.

[Lincoln Rover]

Played in the first ever Donny match I saw. 1968/69 season v York City. My dad’s favourite along with Colin Clish. RIP sir. Deepest condolences to all his family and friends.

[scawsby steve]

RIP.

Thoughts and prayers with his family.

[bobbymax]

RIP Brian and condolences to his family and friends. One of my all-time favourites.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

RIP Brian. My first fave player that I remember vividly. Always an air of excitement when he got the ball nearly always finding a way to get a cross in, unmissable with his flowing blond hair. Had the pleasure of meeting him personally when joining in with his card school in the Flying Childers mid 80s.

[i_ateallthepies]

Brian Usher was the most exciting player in that 68/69 title winning team with his speed on the wing, always going past the fullback and crossing from the byline.  Condolences to his wife and family.

[ravenrover]

Apart from Brian can anyone name the others,

[DN8 West Stander]

Like a few others have already mentioned, Brian played in the first match I ever attended at Belle Vue. The 1968/69 Division Four Championship winning season. For that reason, the whole of that team hold some very special memories for me. But, the anticipation when Brian received the ball out wide was probably my standout memory. So sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts are with his family.

[Pancho Regan]

I have vivid memories of watching Brian when I first became a Rovers supporter as a ten-year-old kid, attending games with my brother.

I used to stand by the wall near the corner flag sometimes and I was in awe of his corner kicks - a really fine crosser of the ball. I was so close I remember the smell of the linament as he stepped back to take the corner!

I have always been able to name that entire team from 1968, which I can't do about any team since.

RIP Brian and a thousand thanks for those childhood memories which will remain with me forever.

[Donnywolf]

I think he was involved in the first sending off I think I saw.

v Brighton and he was on left wing passing Main Stand when he was crunched by Brightons RB I would guess

Hope it wasnt a case of retaliation and it was BU that was dismissed (but think Im right)

[Jimmydee]

R.I.P Mr Usher, I started my regular visits in 1970 and I was hooked since then.

[tommy toes]

Came back on the train from Kings Cross after an away match. The Rovers team were on it too.
Spent a great few hours with them in the bar/buffet, drinking all the way back.
Brian was so friendly and great company. He told me about the only header he ever scored. For Sunderland against West Ham. Said he could see the ball was coming his way so he shut his eyes and jumped and it went in. Couldn’t believe it.

[Donnywolf]

I think he was involved in the first sending off I think I saw.

v Brighton and he was on left wing passing Main Stand when he was crunched by Brightons RB I would guess

Hope it wasnt a case of retaliation and it was BU that was dismissed (but think Im right)

Anybody remember this . Not had chance to research yet.

Grateful - Wolfie

[Lesonthewest]

Mentioned it before, one of my first favourite players of all time, his pace from a standing start & ability to put in quality crosses was second to none, & of course his inswinging corners, didn't he score straight from a corner in the demolition of Aldershot? Great great player, & a joy to watch. Condolences to family & friends RIP.

[idler]

I think he was involved in the first sending off I think I saw.

v Brighton and he was on left wing passing Main Stand when he was crunched by Brightons RB I would guess

Hope it wasnt a case of retaliation and it was BU that was dismissed (but think Im right)

Anybody remember this . Not had chance to research yet.

Grateful - Wolfie

I remember Colin Grainger (also ex Sunderland and blonde hair) getting sent off for nutting a Brighton full back in front of the main stand. That was 1964 I think. They had Bobby Smith,  ex Spurs and England at centre forward that day.
They also had a Jack Smith at number 10. I remember him fouling somebody and the ref called him over. He didn’t budge, the ref again called him over again and beckoned and he still didn’t move. Eventually he marched over to the ref as if he were on parade, stood to attention in front of him and saluted. We were gobsmacked when the ref just waved his finger and didn’t book him. A clip like that these days would be on YouTube in a breath.

[Donnywolf]

Thanks Idler. Brilliant memory there

I got most bits right except it wasnt Brian Usher lol and it WAS our player that got sent off.

The year is exactly right. I remember watching it from the Town End which is odd as I / we used to swap ends so I should have been on the Kop unless I was on way round and by Pop Stand corner flag

[idler]

We were on the kop as we’d switched round at half time.
Their manager was Archie Macwley and for some reason one of my mates dad knew him. I think that they had an after match pint together if I remember right.

[selby]

 He is up there as one of our more exciting players to watch especially under the old Belle View lights that caught his blond locks more than most.
  Fast and direct something very rare nowadays, Olowu would have had his hands full with his pace. thanks for the memories Brian, you were one of the heroes back in the day and never forgotten.

[Ian Nimmo]

Thank you all for your kind words and memories.
Brian’s family are aware of all your posts on this and other rovers social media sites.
They are somewhat overwhelmed by all posts.

[Ian Nimmo]

I presumed that we would be holding a minute’s applause at the game on Saturday, which has been the case in the past for our former players.
However i was informed last night that this would be not be the case for Brian, although there will be a note in the matchday programme.

I am very disappointed given Brian was thought by many to be one of the best to wear the shirt and that his family are supporters, and some maybe at the game.

Therefore wonder if we could possibly hold a minutes applause during the 11th minute (given he had the 11 shirt).

Can anyone assist in making this happen?

If this is going to be possible then I am thinking we could asked the club to show his picture on the big screen during the 11th minute.

[i_ateallthepies]

Agree, Ian.  Very disappointed the club has declined.

[the dons]

Shameful Rovers 

[Pancho Regan]

I presumed that we would be holding a minute’s applause at the game on Saturday, which has been the case in the past for our former players.
However i was informed last night that this would be not be the case for Brian, although there will be a note in the matchday programme.

I am very disappointed given Brian was thought by many to be one of the best to wear the shirt and that his family are supporters, and some maybe at the game.

Therefore wonder if we could possibly hold a minutes applause during the 11th minute (given he had the 11 shirt).

Can anyone assist in making this happen?

If this is going to be possible then I am thinking we could asked the club to show his picture on the big screen during the 11th minute.

That's a great idea Ian and it would be a fitting tribute from the fans.