Tranmere pay tribute to Rovers fan and businessman Ben Harrison

The chairman of the Trust since 2008, Mr Harrison attended his first Rovers game in 1970. He worked in the voluntary sector for 25 years, co-founding Weston Spirit, the charity set up by Falklands war veteran Simon Weston to help young people acquire skills and training, and working as chief executive for 18 years.

He also owned and ran his own business, Home & Homebrew Tap with outlets in Oxton, New Brighton and West Kirby.

A statement from the Trust said: "It is with deep regret and a heavy heart that the Tranmere Rovers Trust have learnt of the passing of our chairman and friend, Ben Harrison.

"Ben was a selfless person who worked tirelessly on Trust and club projects, always putting others ahead of himself. He was the driving force behind so many initiatives that helped to support the club and the local community.

"His passion for the football club was unstinting; his vision and drive a constant motivation to us all. Our deepest sympathies are with Ben’s family.

"Ben will be greatly missed by us all."

Tranmere Rovers also paid trubute adding in a statement: "It is with enormous sadness that the club has to report the passing last night of associate director of the club, and chairman of the Tranmere Rovers Supporters’ Trust, Ben Harrison.

"The club would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to Polly and his family.

"A book of condolence will be placed in the club shop so that supporters can share their memories and thoughts, and we hope this will bring Ben’s loved ones some comfort and strength as they try to come to terms with their loss."

Founded in 2017, Homebrew Tap was a off shoot from the established and award winning Homebrew Bottle Shop in Oxton village. 

After the success of the Oxton venue, Homebrew Tap West Kirby opened its doors in April 2018 as the brand expanded to a second site.

In 2020, Mr Harrison caused controversy after he had a huge mural of Tranmere Rovers' club crest painted on the side of his house in Oxton. 

In a joint statement, Tranmere Rovers' chairman, Mark Palios, and the club's vice chairman, Nicola Palios, said: “In the nine years since we have been back at the club, Ben became a key member of the senior management team, a trusted advisor, but above all a personal friend to us both.

"He was absolutely key to the club forging a fantastic working relationship with the Supporters’ Trust – something which is rare in football - and which has seen us collaborating so successfully on a number of projects, including support to the local community during Covid and beyond through the delivery of food parcels, the SWA2# community tickets scheme (now known as Nate’s Tickets).

"He dreamed big and was hands-on and indefatigable in bringing those dreams to life – as is so well exemplified by the new fan zone, which was his brain-child and something that many thought he would never be able to make happen.  That building will stand as a permanent legacy to his vision and tenacity, and it is tragic that he never got to see it opened, although he was closely following its progress right up to the day of his passing.   

"Although Ben became a personal friend, he was never afraid to challenge us when he disagreed with something, and we hugely valued his input, safe in the knowledge that he absolutely had the best interests of this great club, and its fans, at heart.

"He lived his life with passion and compassion. He was a fearless champion for the underdog, but also a creative and astute businessman – a rare combination.

"When you meet people in life, one of the questions we always ask ourselves is 'Would you have them in the trenches with you?' and the answer in relation to Ben was a resounding 'yes'.  He stood up proudly for everything he believed in, he took on huge challenges and ran at them headlong. As Ben’s family so beautifully said, 'He died as he lived, fearlessly and without compromise.

"We will both miss him enormously, as will everyone at the club.

"Rest in peace, Ben."