Photo attached: Left to right. David Barraclough, Jeff Myers and Gerald Foster.
The band are sad to announce the passing of Jeff Myers, who played with GCB in the 1970s and 80s.
Here is a eulogy by David Barraclough, as you’ll probably see, Jeff was quite a character, friend and support to others.
Jeff was a man who always took care of others, however the main people in his life were his family, they always came first. He spent his working life in the coal industry, mainly between Frickley and Grimethorpe collieries, he was a valued member of both bands. Jeff was always there to help both at work and in the band room, and many a young lad benefitted from his caring attitude.
Jeff was a hard worker and whilst at Grimethorpe, he and his great friend Gerald Foster ensured they got as much overtime at the area offices as possible. Many thought they lived there, they would often get off the band coach at an unearthly hour after a gig and go straight to work.
It was with Gerald (sadly also now deceased) that Jeff spent most of his time. They were known to be a bit on the tight side “not ones to splash their money”. After concerts, instead of diving into the nearest pub, they would find the nearest chippy and sit on the coach until the rest of us came to travel home. The band were once on a tour of France, Jeff and Gerald called into a little cafe and ordered two Orangina drinks, they were charged £8 each. This was a huge price in the 70’s and a story that Jeff would recall every time you were in his company, I don’t think he got over it for the rest of his life!
Jeff used to travel to the pit on a Honda 50, he always had his little rucksack on his back with his snap in. Before he went home, he used to put two house bricks in it along with a small bag of sand and a small bag of cement. Over a very long time he managed to build himself a coal bunker at home, that was Jeff down to a tee.
Away from the band and pit, he was an excellent gardener, he and his mate used to go to all the local flower shows. Jeff’s chrysanthemums almost always won the day, he used to say that when he turned up to a show, you could see the other gardeners faces drop. They knew they had nothing to come, it was also another good earner for him as well, which made him smile!
In later life, he used to love watching his grandson play for Hemsworth Terriers football team. He supported on match days and training sessions twice weekly. His band mate Gerald, who was a scout for Sheffield Wed, used to come to support the team too. My son played for the Terriers and I was still at the band, we were obviously there to support but as you can imagine, all the talk was about putting the band world to rights and reminiscing about the old days.
No one in the band with Jeff will ever forget him running up and down the grass at Gawsworth Hall, Macclesfield, dressed in a big red cape whilst we played the theme tune to Superman. He had kept this a secret, it was one of the funniest things ever.
Jeff, you were a superman on those nights, and will remain a superman to your friends and family.
Rest in Peace my old friend.