Andy Rowland RIP
Posted: 11 Aug 2017, 15:33
Hello all,
I thought I should let you know about Andy's sad passing at the age of 51. I met Andy at University (I am actually an Argyle fan) when he was with Stoke City and he of course progressed to Southampton before signing for The Gulls. You may not be aware but he married a lovely dutch girl and moved to Holland permanently shortly after retiring from pro football when still with Torquay due to injury.
Andy contracted ALS a couple of years ago (it is known as Motor Neurone disease in the UK) and was given three years to live. Throughout his suffering he retained immense dignity and remained determined to work for as long as possible and provide for his family. To his credit he initially worked as a postman in Holland whilst he learned the language (which he really enjoyed) before joining ING and later ABN Amro in senior banking roles over there.
He died on July 20th, and the funeral was a week later in Alkmaar where he lived. A Torquay lad (born in Taunton but moved as a baby), he attended Torquay Grammar and represented England at under eighteen level.
He was a great friend of mine and leaves behind a lovely family. As an ex gull you can all be proud of how he coped with such a horrible illness and how well regarded he was by all his dutch work colleagues.
I hope you don't mind me coming on your site to let you all know, I just thought it was the best way to inform you all.
Rest in peace Rowley.
I thought I should let you know about Andy's sad passing at the age of 51. I met Andy at University (I am actually an Argyle fan) when he was with Stoke City and he of course progressed to Southampton before signing for The Gulls. You may not be aware but he married a lovely dutch girl and moved to Holland permanently shortly after retiring from pro football when still with Torquay due to injury.
Andy contracted ALS a couple of years ago (it is known as Motor Neurone disease in the UK) and was given three years to live. Throughout his suffering he retained immense dignity and remained determined to work for as long as possible and provide for his family. To his credit he initially worked as a postman in Holland whilst he learned the language (which he really enjoyed) before joining ING and later ABN Amro in senior banking roles over there.
He died on July 20th, and the funeral was a week later in Alkmaar where he lived. A Torquay lad (born in Taunton but moved as a baby), he attended Torquay Grammar and represented England at under eighteen level.
He was a great friend of mine and leaves behind a lovely family. As an ex gull you can all be proud of how he coped with such a horrible illness and how well regarded he was by all his dutch work colleagues.
I hope you don't mind me coming on your site to let you all know, I just thought it was the best way to inform you all.
Rest in peace Rowley.
RIP Andy. Lovely tribute Penlee.