RONNIE BRIGGSRonnie Briggs, a former Bristol Rovers goalkeeper who won two international caps for Northern Ireland, died aged 65 on 28 August 2008.Mr Briggs, who also played for Manchester United and shared digs with George Best, retired early from the game because of injury.The great-grandfather lived in Stapleton, Bristol before he passed away at St Peter's Hospice in Bristol.He was born in Belfast in 1943, and was spotted by a United scout when he was playing schoolboy football at 15.During his time at Old Trafford, Mr Briggs was one of seven goalkeepers, so getting into the first team was a challenge.It was during his time with Manchester United that he lived with George Best, with infamous landlady Mrs Fullaway in Chorlton.He eventually broke into the first team when it was managed by Sir Matt Busby.Mr Briggs's skills earned him a call-up to the Northern Ireland team in the preliminary rounds of the 1966 World Cup before Pat Jennings took over.It was the same year he moved to Bristol Rovers, where he would be one of three goalkeepers competing for the number one shirt.He took the position when a colleague was injured, but his own career was brought to a premature end when he was kicked in the hands by one of his own team-mates as he collected a ball.Mr Briggs dropped out of league football and went into the Western League, playing for Frome Town and Glastonbury until, still suffering from his hands, he called it a day.Having left football, he became an insurance agent, a builder and a security officer before he retired in March 2008.His love of the beautiful game continued and he coached several teams including Backwell School.He enjoyed most sports and played darts for the Masons Arms in Stapleton and the old True Blue Club at Eastville.Mr Briggs was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in December 2008. He was survived by his wife Ena, three children Julie, Stephen and Jane, grandchildren Martin, Philip, Victoria, Matthew, Stacey, Melissa and Amber, and one great-granddaughter Lilly Mae.A love of football still runs in the family as his grandsons Martin and Philip both play for amateur teams.
Keep me informed of updates
