R.I.P. Budgie

R.I.P. Budgie

Although I’m sure he envisioned himself as a star mid-field on the great team in the sky, the man upstairs has just landed a passionate cheerleader and qualified analyst.

Brian Budd a seven-year veteran of the now de-funked North American Soccer League also spent time plying his trade in Major Indoor Soccer and tallying two goals for the Canadian national side but will surely be remembered by Canadian and American’s for different reasons.

Brian Budd’s "claim to fame" in the United States is as a three-time ABC’s World Superstar Championship where Budgie defeated other former athletes at various athletics challenges. Budd was a stalwart winning three consecutive tournaments and forcing ABC to invoke the "budd rule" which stated that no competitor could compete after racking up at hat-trick of wins.

Canadians however are left with different memories of the hyper-enigmatic, no-nonsense, football scholar that contributed far more to his countries international effort then his two goals would have you believe. Still this is not how most Canadian will remember our friend Budgie. Our memories will be of Saturday and Sunday mornings when Budgie, sometimes hung-over, sometimes over-caffeinated and sometimes just outright excited would keep us company pre, mid and post match with brilliant, straightforward match analysis.

American will remember Brian Budd as a competitor, Canadians as a pillar of the soccer community, me I will remember Budgie for all these reason and one-more. Always impressed with Budgie demeanor and Soccer knowledge I have created his likeness on several volumes of the soccer video game FIFA. Wether Liverpool in England, Marseilles in France or Toronto FC closer to home, Budgie has always been my first selection as coach and leader.

My condolences to the Budd family for their immense lose

And congratulation to the man upstairs, you’ve acquired a man of impeccable character that eats, sleeps and breaths footy, his addition will serve as an unmatched asset to the great all-star team in the sky.

Zoltan Black