Graham Cousins - THE Club Man !!

It is with deep regret that we have to announce that one of Andover Town F.C. stalwarts, Graham Cousins has passed away a few weeks ago.

A review from some people that knew Graham well ..............

GRAHAM COUSINS, in footballing terms, was Andover/Andover Town through and through. His first watching of Andover was as a young schoolboy at the Walled Meadow, probably in their Western League days, when he was pushed to the front behind the goal for a better view. He got to know Club secretaries such as Keith Stevens and Robin Adcock but never really became involved until the Club moved to The Portway. The Ken Cunningham Brown era really fired his interest (though he rarely agreed with KCB’s team selections) and he was probably one of the very few who travelled to Raunds in Northampton for a midweek League match towards the end of the 1998/1999 season. Andover did not have the requisite number of players and the result, though this has not been able to be confirmed, was 14-O. He took over from Doug Morris on the Public Address system and was for many years the eloquent voice of the Club on matchdays, though as a referee himself in his younger days he could not accept it when a half lasted more than the statutory forty-five minutes. He was a regular traveller to away matches during the Club’s final spell in the Southern League and was a born organiser, running a local Quiz League for many years. He was Club Secretary in the last season but the Club was by then in serious decline and he certainly did not enjoy the role. He was however quick to transfer his allegiance to Andover Town and has been a regular presence in the Main Stand. He was a long-time friend of Alan Mussel and they frequently travelled to games together, yet they had a very different approach to the Club. Alan saw everything positively while Graham tended to have a slightly more pessimistic outlook – but they never fell out and watching for Graham was never the same after Alan’s passing. Andover have lost a Club stalwart, an avid supporter and many have lost a good friend. Rest in Peace, Graham.