Dubliner and former owner of Carlisle United John Courtenay has died

Tributes have been paid to former Carlisle United owner and managing director of Umbro Ireland John Courtenay, who has died aged 70.

Dubliner Courtenay bought Carlisle United after then manager Roddy Collins told him there was a chance that the Cumbrian club was available for sale.

He took over from Michael Knighton as owner in July 2002 and quickly reappointed Collins, who’d been sacked the previous April.

Courtenay eventually left Carlisle in 2004 but is remembered very fondly at the football club with many fans of the opinion that he saved their beloved Blues from going out of existence.

Carlisle United Chairman Andrew Jenkins said:

“I got on extremely well with John. He was a very likeable character who could hold a room with his stories.

“He was always described as larger than life and I think everyone will agree that was a very fair description.

“I’d like to say a thank you to him for everything he did for the club. He wanted the best for Carlisle United and it’s a shame that it didn’t work out for him.

“His enthusiasm was infectious and those who worked with or alongside him were desperate to see him get the success he so dearly wanted.

“I pass on the sympathies of those at the club to his family, friends and loved ones at this sad time.”

Club secretary Sarah McKnight said:

“He was a breath of fresh air at exactly the right time for the club.

“I’ll always remember his response to anything that seemed like a problem was to tell us that there was no such word as can’t as far as he was concerned.

“He insisted that there was always a way to sort everything.

“He was always happy and he put everybody in a good mood with his positivity and his smile.”

This morning the FAI also paid tribute: “The FAI is very saddened to hear of the death of John Courtenay, the man who brought Umbro to the Ireland team and whose sponsorships links with the Association continue to this day through JACC [whose managing director is Jonathan Courtenay, son of John].

“May he rest in peace.”