The care team at New Copford Place, our Colchester-based residential care home, made sure that resident and devoted Leyton Orient Football Club Fan, Brian Coyne, had an ‘O’utstanding 90th Birthday with a party with all his family and care home friends.
Brian made New Copford Place his home in December 2025 as he and his family were so impressed with the quality of care. “The care home, its facilities, the residents and the staff made the decision to move there really easy,” said Brian. “My family and I just knew it was the perfect place for me.”
Brian, who was born in Southend, grew up in East London and thoroughly enjoyed his school years. “I firstly attended the quite historic Shaftesbury Road Junior School,” added Brian. “It was, and still is, a grand old Victorian building, built in 1894, which survived a major fire in 1904 and German bombings during 1944. I then moved on to Eastham Grammer School, another school full of history as it was founded back in the 1840s, primarily for sons of Protestant missionaries serving overseas.”
Brian quickly became an avid and loyal supporter of Leyton Orient Football Club – and definitely not a follower of their rivals West Ham United or Southend United. “I’m an ‘Os’ fan, through and through,” continued Brian. “I was at as many matches as possible and loved going to see the team play at its Brisbane Road ground, which interestingly, has been home to the ‘Os’ since 1937, a year after I was born.
“I vividly remember the 1977/78 season when we reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, which was a fantastic achievement. We beat the likes of Chelsea and Middlesbrough to get there but sadly lost to Arsenal three nil.”
After leaving school at the age of 16, Brian worked in a clerical role until he was 46 but changed career and became a Coal Merchant until he retired. “I loved my jobs,” said Brian. “In part, thanks to the company I worked for, I’ve visited about 30 different countries over the years, but I have to say New Zealand was my favourite place. The scenery, people, food and weather are wonderful.”
In 1962 Brian married his Wife, Florence at St. Alban’s Church in Dagenham before honeymooning in The Lake District. The happy couple became parents to two sons – Ian and Trevor – and Brian is now the proud Grandfather to three Grandchildren and a Great Grandfather to two Great Grandchildren.
Growing up, Brian loved playing Football, Tennis and Badminton. “I’m also a keen Cribbage and Scrabble player and I still play as much as possible at New Copford Place,” continued Brian. “Each week, my friends come to visit me for a game of Cribbage, which is lovely as we always reminisce about our Cribbage sessions down the pub. The games used to, and still do a little, get a bit competitive, but always in a fun and light-hearted way.”
“Brian is great fun and always up for a chat,” said Chelsey Leather, the Activities Coordinator at New Copford Place. “He will always have a joke and bring some humour into any conversation too. There’s no doubt he’s a real character.”
“The other day, during one of our reminiscing sessions, was asked that if I could host a dinner party, which three people would I invite. The answer is easy. My Wife, Florence and my two best friends Barry and Karl. Quite simply because they were and are the most important people in my life,” said Brian.
Brian is also a self-proclaimed ‘Foodie’. “The Chef here makes delicious meals, but my absolute favourite has to be the Roast Chicken dinners, they are, like the ‘Os’ – outstanding,” added Brian.
“For Brian’s 90th, landmark birthday, we wanted to throw him a good old fashioned East End party,” continued Daniel Sabau, the Registered Manager at New Copford Place. “Together with his family, friends, care home friends and the care team, he had a great birthday time complete with a delicious birthday cake, which the Birthday Boy thoroughly enjoyed.”
“I had a marvellous 90th Birthday, it was a fantastic day. You could say it was ‘A 29’ which is the ultimate great hand in Cribbage, so it can’t really get better than that, can it?” concluded Brian.
Find out more about New Copford Place care home by calling 01206 210 397 or emailing [email protected].