I'm about to "attend" his funeral via video link. He had health issues but he also had Covid and died at home upon his discharge from hospital. He was an umpire at my local cricket club in London and I first met him when were introduced with a common love of the Villa, he explained that, while at school in the 50's, a new kid at school was sat next to him. Being a Villa fan the kid talked him into following the Villa.
He went on to have a season ticket for over 50 years, he only stopped as his eye sight was too poor to make the drive every other week,the season he stopped was the season before the Arsenal FA cup final so couldn't get a ticket, I managed to bag him one, he was over the moon.
As I type they're bringing out the coffin, drowned in claret and blue flowers.
