THE changing facilities at Alloa’s West End Park will be renamed in the memory of a young Clacks man who died tragically in March.

Conor Brown, 22, passed away unexpectedly on March 6 and since then, his family, friends and the local community have been making sure he is not forgotten.

Nicknamed the ‘Holy Goalie’, he was a talented amateur footballer, guarding the net for local development side Claremont FC for many years and playing at the squad’s home at West End Park on numerous occasions.

More recently, Conor was the goalie for Tullibody AFC and as the Advertiser reported last week, his name was stitched onto the front of the club’s strip and will be on new shirts going forward.

The new kit will be distributed amongst team-mates and friends after Conor’s dad, Stephen, decided to fund it from money that was raised by the community after his death.

The decision to rename the facilities was agreed unanimously by elected members at Clackmannanshire Council’s full meeting last Thursday, September 28.

A motion for the move was put forward by South Ward representative Councillor Craig Holden, who explained the talented young man spent much of his time at the park.

The SNP politician said Conor’s family would be touched by the gesture and highlighted the move was not just about remembering the 22-year-old, who was described as a “gem of a boy” by coach Brian Reid, but also about supporting each other.

The community’s support and caring was evident in the wake of his death; friends and team-mates rallied round to help Conor’s family, raising close to £15,000 in just a few days.

Fellow councillor Ellen Forson seconded the motion in the chamber at Kilncraigs, saying she knew it would mean a lot to not just the family, but the wider community.

The news of Conor’s death sent shockwaves around the Wee County with many friends paying tribute to his outgoing personality.

Since then, a football festival and memorial night have been held to remember his passions in life.

This month, on Friday, October 20, local band Vida is also organising their ‘Concert for Conor’ with support from Oasis tribute band Stop the Clocks as well as a DJ set from his cousin, Alan Wyse.

Vida frontman Jamie Pollock previously revealed to the Advertiser Conor was “definitely a mate of the band” and he also knew him through work at IFDS.

Tickets have been selling fast but visit wearevidaofficial.bigcartel.com, call 01259 213 131 or visit the Speirs Centre to see if there are any left.