Another blow to our sport today with Phoenix CC stalwart, and co-founder of the Belfast Club Eamon Burns passing away. Eamon was a good friend, and lover of the legends of the past, with the famous Belgian Flandria team in the 70ties as his favourite, over the years we had many chats about it…Rest in Peace Eamon… (Monday 29th July)

Eamon Burns I met for the first time at the Phoenix GP in March 2006, Tommy Lamb introduced me to him, and we got on straight away as we shared a love for the Flandria team in the 70ties, the Flandria red bikes and motorbikes, and the Flandriens from the past. His white van always present at the races on the province, doing different jobs while there, mostly accompanied by his son Eamon JNR who does motorbike marshal duties at our races…He was also a good friend of my wife, both fans of Johnny Hero, local entertainer on the radio. We will miss him dearly…Rest in Peace Eamon..

Phoenix CC told social media: ” The committee has been informed this evening of the passing of 1 of its longest members and a founding member and originally a member of St Gabriels, Eamon Burns, known to all in the club as “ Burnsy” .
Eamons cycling career started in the 1950s and it was soon apparent that he was a talented rider which saw him being selected to represent Northern Ireland at the 1958 Commonwealth Games. He raced into the 1990s but a serious back problem in 2003 brought an end to his cycling. Despite this he remained a stalwart of the club organising club races, open races, marshalling, helping out selflessly and also held various posts within the committee
Prior to Covid any person who turned up at the House of Sport on a Saturday and many Sunday mornings wanting to join the club, Eamon was the first face they met, you would have signed the forms and been told you could do 3 runs before you had to join the club and Cycling Ireland. But he not only did this he made sure you were allocated the correct group to ride as a newcomer. He turned up at the House of Sport for the weekend club runs no matter what the weather to welcome assist and advise newcomers. He worked tirelessly at cycling events across Ulster not only for his own Club but for many other clubs and was a familiar figure assisting riders at national events. He was active in the David McCall Foundation helping to raise money for youth development.
Up until recently when his health deteriorated, His white van was a familiar sight at the club races , in latter years he was the starter for many of the club TT’s , or carried out duties at the race sign on
He was the first recipient of the clubs Unsung Hero Awards .
From the present committee, all the present and past members we pass on out heartfelt condolences to all the Burns Family at this very sad time“