Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Holte Enders in the Sky => Topic started by: Damo70 on March 13, 2018, 09:10:55 PM
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I don't think it is my place to put his full name on here but tonight a Villa mad relative of mine (my cousin's husband) left for the game and isn't coming back. He passed away from a heart attack pre match somewhere around Villa Park. He was 62 going on 12. He was like a ginger Peter Pan who never grew up Our whole extended family is in a huge state of shock. His daughter, my god daughter is getting married in the summer. He gave me my first job when I left school, helping him in his haulage business. The help was basically helping him with the loading and unloading and keeping him company on the journeys. Jackson Browne, Van Morrison and Chris De Burgh were usually all on the playlist. The one word that kept cropping up earlier as I made some phone calls to let people know the sad news was people saying what a 'character he was'. From the day he started going out with my cousin and landed in the midst of my rather large family must have been like when they dropped the atom bomb. Quiet and reserved he wasn't. At the time he was also my only Villa ally in the family back them. The first time I saw Bowie was with him, he drove us both to Wembley for The Glass Spider gig. I remember seeing Clapton and Meatloaf with him too. If I have one regret it is not asking him if his story about him having a threesome with two Swedish air stewardess's before the 1971 League Cup final really was true. Considering he would have been fifteen at the time I suspect I have always known the answer. Big personalities leave big gaps. I will miss you cuz.
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That’s dreadfully sad news Damo. My thoughts are with you and his family.
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Is this the fan PWS referred to in the pre-match thread? So sorry, mate.
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That’s so sad to hear, and puts the evening into true perspective. Sounds like he was a great guy, RIP Ginger.
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Very sad news Damo thoughts are with you and the family.
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RIP. Sorry for your loss.
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Sorry to hear this sad news, Damo. Sincere condolences to you and all your family.
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So sorry for your loss Damo. I saw someone on Witton Lane before the game who seemed in a bad way :(
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RIP Ginger Phil
Villa legend and one of the most loyal people I have ever met. My thoughts are with Sam and the rest of the family.
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So sorry to hear this. Sincere condolences to you and the family.
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That's awful, really sorry for your loss. UTV Ginger. HEITS.
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Sincere condolences Damo to all of you. Tragic when it happens like that. My thoughts are with you all.
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Gutted.
I knew Ginger well through Damo, indeed I helped out on the truck on few occasions myself. There are so many tales and stories, many of which are Villa related of course. Wembley, Crewe, that cold night at Notts County mentioned not long back in the memories section, the Barmy Bus to Man City to name just a few. Tremendous.
RIP old pal.
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RIP Ginger Phil
Villa legend and one of the most loyal people I have ever met. My thoughts are with Sam and the rest of the family.
I have just spoken to Karen and she has been overwhelmed by the response and best wishes the immediate family have received. I couldn't even get near the house for all the cars around yesterday and I understand it is a full house again this evening. Whilst I appreciate the condolences and sentiments towards me on here my loss is nothing compared to the loss his wife, son, daughter and grandaughter have suffered. Although I am pretty sure he still owed me a tenner from way back. ;)
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https://www.gofundme.com/phil-graham
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https://www.gofundme.com/phil-graham
Cheers for posting the link. It has been a while since I have seen that video. A Halloween prank a few years back by our cousin Darryl who ended up being the one who was more scared.
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Ian Taylor tweeted about Phil earlier today. If I was clever enough to copy it on to here I would, I'm sure someone else will be able to.
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@IanTaylor7
Want to say all the best to the lads that went to Bolton yesterday celebrating and remembering the life of Greg Heath and Phil "Ginge" Graham. Shame about the result lads. #HEITS #VTWD
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Another Villa Legend gone to the sky. I only knew him as Ginge - believe he was from Aston. Gone but not forgotten one of them people who it would be impossible to forget.
RIP Ginge.
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I have just been told that the funeral is (provisionally) set for Thursday the twelfth of April, pending the outcome of a post-mortem. I haven't been told where yet.
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Good lad I got to know him quite we due our respective sons playing for Solihull borough Villa through and through and one of life's characters
RIP Ginge
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Good lad I got to know him quite we due our respective sons playing for Solihull borough Villa through and through and one of life's characters
RIP Ginge
I know they have a job to do and rules are rules and time is money but it has caused some upset in the immediate family that before there has even been a funeral they have gone round and taken away the car he had on the 'Motability' scheme.
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That's tough I am sure , I am sure he will have tremendous turn out
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https://www.gofundme.com/phil-graham
Karen and Sam have gone to Villa Park this morning, I believe to be presented with the money donated. The whole family have been blown away with the amount raised. Thanks to everyone.
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I have just been given the full funeral details. If anyone wants them just PM me.
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I have just been told via his daughter/my god daughter that there was a piece in the matchday programme about him tonight.
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He would be laughing his backside off about that
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What a funeral and what a turn out. It turned out to be quite a party in the Holte suite. Even a reformed character like me ended up in town with a few old faces. I have only just got back. I need to find a copy of the 'programme' because the guy that did the main eulogy delivered a fantastic piece. Warts and all to be fair. I was standing there thinking I wanted to applaud but I didn't think it was appropriate. I needn't have worried as when he finished the whole church burst into applause. If it was you and you are reading this then take a bow son. I did my bit in the private book of remembrance for the family and was touched by the other messages left.
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I heard it was touching funny and very special .
Sleep well Ginge HEITS