Keith was a lifelong Sunderland supporter, wonderful bloke and a great friend from over 50 years ago. He was a regular on my Mansfield bus, to every home and away game, and would always be at his pick-up point like clockwork. We went through the late seventies and eighties which wasn't the most peaceful period for a bunch of lads from the pit villages who stood out like sore thumbs in our NCB donkey jackets! Keith was one of the quieter ones but had a killer wit so people were careful what they said. He was also the last you'd think was a bit handy but always out there swinging if we were attacked. He'd moved from the Midlands to the Isle of Wight, while I went to France, so we lost touch but always had points of contact through all the other Sunderland exiles. I managed to sort out a couple of Southampton tickets for the last game there so he could get to his final Sunderland game, sadly I couldn't get any for myself ... next time, I thought. I've recently lost two good mates in Allan Crago and Tom Lynn, plus Mensi and now Keith ... ... at this rate I'll end up like the old fella at the end of The Green Mile with only a mouse for company. Goodbye mate, I'll miss you.
Thanks Snaggey. I was outside, with the tree surgeon this morning, when my phone rang and it was 'Keith'. He's not been able to manage anything but texts so I knew it was bad news. I didn't dare take the call, with a burly Scottish lumberjack with me, so ignored it. When I called back his wife, of 41 years, answered but initially there was no sound. I said who I was then waited until, eventually, I heard her voice telling me the news I already really new. When I told the lumberjack he shed a tear himself, said to enjoy every day then jumped in his pick-up truck and vanished ... ... another story there. He's right though, enjoy whatever you have every day, you never know who's next.
Sorry to hear that Smug. We’ve got some team upstairs mate. Agree with the lumberjacks sentiment. RIP Keith and strength to his family and friends.
Sad news for you Smug. Your Lumberjock has it right, and you know / live that way anyway. Plenty games coming up for a pint and a bit craic before you call up the mouse.
When I heard the news the first thing I did was to check my last message to Keith. I’m pleased to say it was lovely, after the Saturday game … … he’d said to take care and I’d sent the same back even though I knew the end was close. Keith would have been 71 on 9th December. He was born and brought up at Seaham Harbour, Sunderland. He lived most of his adult life in Meden Vale (Welbeck Colliery Village) Mansfield. He has 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and moved to the Isle of Wight in 1988-ish. We’re all just one big family and there’s lots of love, let’s not forget that.
Sad news mate. I’ve never lost anyone close to me other than family and pets as I tend to keep most people at arms length. Which probably isn’t a good thing tbh. RIP.
