A NEW terrace dedicated to a legendary amateur football manager and his right hand man will be officially opened next month.

The Colin Brennan and Bill Costello Stand at Mill Hill FC's ground will celebrate their achievements with Griffin Celtic in the 1970s and 1980s.

The new structure at the Griffin Ground will be officially opened at a home game next month.

Mr Brennan, originally centre forward for Griffin Celtic, took over managing the Division Five team he joined in 1965 in 1979 and took it to winning the Blackburn Combination Premier League in 1988.

After that the club merged with Kings Inn eventually becoming Mill Hill Football Club. Mr Brennan, now 82, and his chief assistant Mr Costello, 87, were key figures in the new club.

Bill Maynard, current chairman of Mill Hill FC, said: "We have now completed the new stand in front The Cabin. I will be dedicated to the work of two stalwarts of the clubs history spanning 31 years namely Colin Brennan and Bill Costello.

"The idea for them to be honoured in such away is largely down to Graham Shackleton who Colin persuaded to play for Griffin as a 17 year old at a time when he was falling out of love with the game. He went on to captain Griffin Celtic who at the time swept LL before them in the Blackburn Combination.

"Colin became a legend in his own right to many of the players who played for Griffin Celtic or indeed the Combination Inter-League team. He was a cult figure because of his management skills and his enthusiasm for the game. Bill was his right hand man and chief assistant throughout.

"Two years ago Graham took his idea to the club committee who were happy to back this unique way of paying tribute to two of the club's stalwarts and legends in their own right."

Mr Brennan's wife Sheila, 79, said: "Colin and Bill are delighted.

"My husband has dementia but is aware of the new stand. We hope to get him down there to watch a game this season.

"It is sad that Colin is unable to recall players' names. Alzheimers is a cruel illness. It is appropriate their contribution to amateur football in Blackburn is being remembered in this way."

On Saturday Mr and Mrs Brennan celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary at Birch Hall Care home in Darwen with their children Janet and Peter, four grandchildren, five great grandchildren and friends.

The stand is sponsored by Pendle Holdings