Last Friday September 8th 2006 was another sad day in the history of Clonmel Town with the death of our Vice President Kevin Butler. He was a member of Clonmel Towns committee for over twenty years and was an integral part of our club. Kevin's association with football goes back almost seventy years. He won a Munster Junior Cup winners medal in 1950 and scored the first goal in Clonmel's AFC 2-0 win over Rock Rovers in the final. Therefore it was only apt that on the night we regained the trophy, that our Captain Paul Scully dedicated the victory for Kevin. He more than any other person was delighted that the blue ribband trophy of Munster was once again back in Clonmel. He was also delighted that the Cup was brought to his house in the days following that wonderful victory.

His passion for the club never diminished I firmly believe that if Clonmel Town were drawn away to Alaska in January Kevin Butler would be the first person to pay at the gate. Hail, rain, snow or sunshine if Clonmel Town were playing Kevin would be there. His contribution to the running and welfare of our club was immense. He did it out of pure love for Clonmel Town. Kevin simply loved the club and all of our teams. He was a father figure to all of us involved in the club and in truth a little part of our club died with him but that part is in the safest possible hands.

Kevin Butler was one of the most respected and much loved men not only in our club but also in football. Above all of this he was a perfect gentleman, the definitive gentleman. Every time you met Kevin he always shook your hand and when he asked you how you were, he meant it. He was a man that was impossible to have an argument with. Any person who spoke ill of Kevin Butler is a person incapable of speaking the truth. It was a privilege to be part of a committee with Kevin and an even greater one to have known him. We will all mourn his loss but we will also work harder to bring success to Clonmel Town, for that is what this wonderful man would want. We will also think of the legacy he left us, an example of a life whose riches owe little to money, where only people really matter. Kevin was a model of what a human being should be. Those were all the great gifts and qualities that Kevin Butler possessed. People of an older generation will be able to remember Kevin Butler the footballer, every generation will never forget the true gentleman that was Kevin Butler. Rest Easy Kevin. We will never forget you.

The club would like to extend our sincerest sympathies to Kevin's Wife Breda, Son Tony, Daughter Martine and all the extend Butler Family.