Rotherham United’s Honorary Life President John Breckin paid tribute to his friend and our former player and League Cup finalist Lol Morgan, having learned of the sad news of his passing aged 90, this morning.
Breck, who became close with Lol and his wife Pauline in his later years, expressed his sadness at the club losing yet another great from the halcyon era which saw the Millers reach the first ever League Cup final with Lol in the side.
“I was so sad to hear the news of Lol’s passing this morning, although I was aware that he hadn’t been well of late,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“I was fortunate enough to get close with Lol and his loving wife Pauline over the last few years and have always kept in touch with them about how he was getting on.
“Having spoken with Pauline as recently as this afternoon, I know how much time and love she put into caring for Lol and I would like to take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt condolences to her and all of Lol’s family and friends.
“Lol was a gentleman off the pitch and a fine player on it, who will always be remembered by Millers fans and will forever have a place in the history books at this football club."
“I remember watching him as a budding young footballer aged around eight-years-old on the terraces at Millmoor and thinking what a good left-back he was.
“He was an out-and-out defender in an era in which your job as a full back was to stop the opposition winger and he had that art to a tee.
“I perhaps wasn’t the same ‘type’ of left back when I eventually broke through into the side myself, but I always took a lot from players that I watched when I was a fan, and Lol was definitely one of those influences.
“He went into management after his playing days and did really well with Darlington and Norwich.
“In later life he would return to the local area and fulfil a number of different roles in our community, meaning people from all different walks of life would be fortunate enough to get to know him.
“He worked for local companies ranging from the brewery to the Rotherham Advertiser and I also know that he was a keen golfer at Rotherham Golf Club.
“He joined me on the first ever midnight walk in support of the Rotherham Hospice, which meant an awful lot to me. He was a supporter of all things Rotherham, but turning up that day for the hospice was a fantastic show of support to a great cause.
“It was my absolute privilege to play a small part in the recent reunion at AESSEAL New York Stadium which saw Lol and his teammates return to the football club, for some much-deserved recognition of their achievements back in 1960/61.
“I know I speak on behalf of everyone not just at the football club, but all of our supporters as well, when I say that Lol will forever be a Rotherham United great and someone who we will all miss dearly."
“Rest in peace, mate. Once a Miller, Always a Miller.”