TRIBUTES have been flooding in for lifelong AFC Bournemouth fan John Garard.
John, also known as “Nonny", died over the weekend. He has been described as the “matchday voice” and a man “capable of raising a smile by his presence alone”.
Leading the tributes, Cherries tweeted a touching video of Nonny accompanied with the words: “Your legacy will live with us forever.”
Read more: 'He brought people together': Family pay tribute to Cherries fan John 'Nonny' Garard
Our matchday voice.
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) November 7, 2021
Your legacy will live with us forever, Nonny ❤️ pic.twitter.com/iNDf2sNwL4
Nonny was famous and loved around the Vitality Stadium for leading the “Red Army” chants in the Steve Fletcher North Stand.
A spokesperson for the club said: "Everyone at AFC Bournemouth was saddened to learn of passing of much-loved supporter, John Garard.
"‘Nonny’, as he was affectionately known, was our matchday voice and was liked and respected by everyone at the club. He will be much missed, and all our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”
Club legend Fletcher said: “He was the voice of the fans for so many years.
“I was lucky enough to spend time with Nonny at the stadium back in August. His knowledge and memories he shared that day were incredible.
“He was all of us rolled into one. What a man, what a legend.”
Captain Steve Cook tweeted: “A proper Bournemouth legend. He drove the Steve Fletcher stand. RIP Nonny. You will be missed.”
🍒 So sad to hear of the passing of legendary #AFCB fan John Garard, aka ‘Nonny’ after a long health battle. His “Reddddd Arrrrrrrmy” chant laid the track for many an atmosphere at Dean Court. Now at peace, Nonny. ❤️🖤 (video @afcbournemouth) pic.twitter.com/3E6YiGqDuB
— Kris Temple (@kristemple) November 7, 2021
Chairman of the club, Jeff Mostyn, said Nonny’s voice lifted the Steve Fletcher Stand.
Taking to Twitter, he said: “Legends have graced the AFC Bournemouth pitch whilst Nonny’s voice has lifted the North Stand.
“My love, thoughts and prayers are with Nonny’s family at this sad time. Nonny will always be remembered by the ‘Red Army’ and everyone at AFC Bournemouth who had the privilege to meet him. RIP my friend.”
It was a sentiment matched by the Back of the Net podcast. They tweeted: “Legend is a word that isn’t wholesome enough to describe John Garard.
“Nonny was gentle, kind, caring, and was capable of raising a smile just by his presence alone.
“Some of you will have known him in a capacity more than football, and all I can say is, you lucky, lucky people.”
Calls have also been made to add Nonny to the legend’s wall at the Vitality, a stadium that will never be the same without his voice.
Tributes to 'Nonny'
Leave your tributes to much-loved AFC Bournemouth fan John Garard, who was also known as 'Nonny'
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