Occasionally a knight in shining armour comes along and makes a big impact. Such was the scenario when Brian ‘Killer’ Kilcline, Coventry City captain when they won the FA Cup 30 years ago, entertained a packed audience at the Beira Rio Restaurant, Tavira, recently.
Not only is he one of only 65 players to captain a winning Cup Final team at the ‘old Wembley’ but he was credited by Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan as the best signing he made for the Magpies.
His nickname of ‘Killer’ came about due to his no nonsense tackling and aerial dominance and asked if he had ever been encouraged to change his image, he replied: “While at Newcastle, someone suggested I should be referred to as Curly Wurly (the Cadbury chocolate bar popular at the time) due to my hairstyle but that did not go down well with the Geordie fans!”
Film clips of his playing days and some old footage of Brian, and his fellow players at Coventry, singing on BBC Blue Peter kept the audience amused as they enjoyed a selection of hot food kindly donated by Joy and Vinnie Kennedy, proprietors of the Beira Rio Restaurant and Black Anchor Bar.
With every cent raised going to charity, over €1000 will benefit Centre Algarve, Moncarapacho, and junior football at Casa Benfica in Tavira.
C.W.
Photo: From left, Brian Kilcline, Sam Willis, Andy Smith and Roy McCrudden
