Damo's Dad

[Nev]

Some of you will have noticed that Damo hasn’t been on here for a while, the rather sad news is that his dad passed away a couple of weeks ago. Me and Damo have been friends for years so I knew his old man, Alan, very well. He was related to “Ginger” Phil Graham, an old Steamer we lost a couple of years ago or so but Alan wasn’t Villa, he was a ‘Nose….

In mitigation for me placing this here, he was more of a football fan than a Blues fan and this was bourne out by the fact that he took his son to Rotterdam in ’82 and when we were kids took us to quite a few away games, happy to drive and wait for us after the match although what he found to do in the likes of Hull and Thornton Heath on a Saturday afternoon is anyone’s guess!

An electrician by trade, he ran his own business for a while, I worked with him as an apprentice a couple of times, he owned a Bedford Adventurer motor home (amongst other notable vehicles) in which he toured Europe with his family, had a mischievous sense of humour and was laid back and somewhat gentle unless the beautiful game wasn’t being played to his taste. I recall him being incandescent with anger in the way we lost 3-0 in the San Siro in 1990 stating that some of the defenders should be “given their cards” (see what I mean about the football fan thing?).

I’ve spoken to Damo, he’s holding up OK and just waiting for the date of the funeral, he gave me permission to post this and hopefully he’ll be back on here sooner rather than later appalling everyone with his choice of TV viewing.

Alan Bakewell – Honorary HEITS

[cdbearsfan]

RIP Alan. Sorry for your loss Damo.

[JD]

Sorry for your loss Damo.

[Axl Rose]

That's very sad news. Thank you for posting this, Nev.

Had been meaning to write to Damo as I'd been wondering where he was.

Rest in peace, Alan.

[Risso]

If you speak to him Nev, pass on all our condolences and tell Damo to hurry back, this place is a poorer place without him.

[Sexual Ealing]

Condolences, Damo.

[PaulWinch again]

Sorry for your loss Damo.

[Villan For Life]

So sorry for your loss Damo, your dad sounds like he was a remarkable man.

[KNVillan]

Sorry for your loss Damo.

[Brend'Watkins]

Sounds like he was a great man and Dad.  Sorry for your loss Damo.

[Scovilla]

Really sad news. Sorry for your loss Damo.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Condolences, Damo. Sending you a big virtual hug, fella.
Thanks for posting, Nev. I'm lost for words of how Alan drove to so many games and never bothered going in to watch, mad as it is I kind of love it. True dedication to his son and friends is all I can think of or maybe he knew if he just went in the once he'd fall in love with the Villa.

[dave shelley]

Sincere condolences Damo to you and all your family and your old man's friends.  As someone has said he sounds as though he was a remarkable bloke.  I would also like to echo the above sentiment and add my thanks to Nev for posting.

[Rory]

If you speak to him Nev, pass on all our condolences and tell Damo to hurry back, this place is a poorer place without him.

Agreed, condolences Damo.

[Towser]

Sorry for your loss Damo, my most cincers condolences to you and all your family.