Back in the mid-70's to early 80's a bunch of Villans travelled together from the Stourbridge/Hagley area - meeting at the Crabmill for a few drinks before heading in convoy home or away.
One of the drivers was a guy named Dene Jarvis - he was a fun, intelligent, car-obsessed, Villa-loving lad who I knocked around with for about 6 years. If ever we needed a lift Dene was yer man. With his souped-up Escort sporting the "Rainbow Rising" LP cover art we barrelled around England like a claret and blue pub on wheels. He always got us there safely whatever state us passengers were in!
That was a great time to be a Villan and life was generally simpler all round. We all socialised (by God we socialised!) with a crew of lads who, although mostly Villa, included two of the most rabid Man Utd fans (The Twins) I have ever known and a couple of Baggies (when they knew their place).
Dene was just one of us, no better, no worse and now he's gone and a bit of that era has gone with him.
He went to seek his fortune in America and did well, worked hard, married and had two kids. He went off the radar until we had a reunion to celebrate 20 years since the title. His name came up and we set out to contact him again. Took a while but we found him on FB and we had the odd chat, nothing crucial just Villa/family stuff.
And two days ago his son found him dead from a brain haemmorage (sp?) and a little bit of my past died with him.
A Villan through-and-through, a good mate and a bloody good driver.
See you later Dene.
