Brian O’Donnell meant an incredible amount to so many people. He was a brilliant Husband, Dad, Grandad, Son, Brother and Friend - and is sorely missed by all.

He was much loved in the football community, not least AFC Bournemouth, where he was a player, but also a youth team coach for four years. Brian had to cut short his career due to ill-health.

As a sufferer of Melanoma, he was passionate in raising awareness of the aggressive type of cancer, starting in the skin, which can be dangerous - as it spreads and grows so quickly.  It is the UK’s most rapidly-increasing type of cancer, with around 16,202 new cases every year, that’s 44 every day (2015-2017).

Brian had a heartfelt desire to be part of a Golf Day, promoted by Back of the Net, where money could be raised for his chosen charity Melanoma Focus - an organisation which provides education, information and support about melanoma. Sadly, he passed away in November 2020.

In his memory, the golf day will go on, and we’ve arranged a star-studded event, to be held at the Dorset Golf Resort in Bere Regis, with the support of Woodstock Legal Services in Poole - featuring Harry Redknapp, Tony Pulis, Matt Le Tissier, Graeme Souness... and more! 

 How to Enter:

 If you want a chance of being one of FOUR lucky winners, you simply need to donate a minimum of £5 to be involved - and leave your name.

 For every £5.00 you donate you will get one entry into the prize draw. For example, for £20 you will receive 4 entries - you can buy as many entries as you wish.

 If you want to donate a smaller amount, you are welcome to do so (although you will not be entered into the draw).

 The date of the golf day will be August 18th 2021. You may gift the golf day to someone else if you wish, but we ask that you contact us directly fans@afcbpodcast.com before doing so. We are limited on numbers, so the winners of the raffle are only given one admission to the golf day each.

About the Day:

 On the day you will be greeted with a coffee and bacon roll, you will then get to meet your celebrity golf partner and head off to play a round of golf on the beautiful Dorset Golf and Country Club and a caddie will be provided! 

After the golf, it will be back to the club house for food and drink and a chance to talk and have photos with the celebrity golfers - they certainly have some amazing stories to tell!

About Melanoma Focus:

 Melanoma Focus is a national charity dedicated to providing a comprehensive and authoritative source of information for public and professionals alike, as well as supporting education and promoting research about melanoma.

This Cambridge-based national charity was formed by the amalgamation of the former Melanoma Study Group, an educational charity serving melanoma professionals, with the previous Melanoma Focus, a research-based charity. By bringing together their medical and scientific education activities, as well as their fundraising capabilities, we aim to promote the professional interests of clinicians, scientists and nurses while informing patients, their carers and the general public about this important and potentially devastating disease.  (Registered Charity No: 1124716)

About Brian:

 Born in Port Glasgow in 1957, midfielder O'Donnell was first associated with AFC Bournemouth when coming through the youth ranks on the south coast, though he would make his first steps as a professional with Bristol Rovers and at Blacktown City Demons in Australia, where he was twice named Australian Player of the Season. Returning to the club in 1982, O’Donnell was part of the squad that clinched promotion from the fourth tier in 1981/82. O'Donnell would go on to appear for Torquay United, Poole Town and Salisbury Town among others clubs before retiring.

 Staying in the game and in the town, O'Donnell coached at both Bournemouth Sports and Bournemouth Poppies during the 1990s, as well as taking on roles in youth development and scouting with the Cherries. He is fondly remembered by those who knew him.

And Finally...

Back of the Net are proud to support funding research into beating cancer, Brian was determined to beat melanoma and we hope that any donations here will help continue Brian's ambition for a cure to be found

Thank you for donating and good luck! Brian’s family, Melanoma Focus, and Back of the Net truly appreciate you for getting involved!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.