Remarkable Finn Harps fan Benny Gordon celebrates 100th birthday
Ballybofey man Benny Gordon was born on July 3, 1925 and has been a Finn Harps fanatic since the club first entered the League of Ireland in 1969. He celebrates his 100th birthday today
A letter from Michael D Higgins popped through the letterbox, but Benny Gordon is hoping that Finn Harps can give him the perfect 100th birthday present with a win on Friday night.
Benny was born on July 3, 1925 and has been a Finn Harps fanatic since the club first entered the League of Ireland in 1969.
One of the oldest citizens in the Twin Towns, Benny remains a staunch fan of Harps.
The Gordon family will sponsor Harps’ home game against Cobh Ramblers on July 25.
Under manager Kevin McHugh, Harps are unbeaten in their last three games and are gunning for a third successive win when Longford Town visit Finn Park on Friday night.
A long-time volunteer with the club, Benny is also the Honorary President of the Ballybofey & Stranorlar Finn Harps Supporters Club.
The youngest in a family that lost their father and main breadwinner when he was only 11 years of age, Benny was fond of football and boxing from an early age and participated in both.
Along with his brother-in-law and neighbour Kieran Quinn, Benny attended Harps’ first ever game in the League of Ireland in August 1969. The 10-2 defeat didn’t turn the pair off for they remained loyal to the cause in the decades since.
Benny worked initially at the Stranorlar Railway Station but spent most of his working years with Donegal County Council and the North Western Health Board.
Benny posed for a photo with his letter of congratulations from President Higgins (a Galway United fan) and his birthday cake - but his beloved Harps scarf