RIP Benjamin Zephaniah

[Toronto Villa]

The day after our wonderful win very sad to hear of the passing of poet Benjamin Zepaniah. A dedicated Villa fan and ambassador. Here is him speaking passionately about us. RIP brother Ben.

https://x.com/justin_avfc_/status/1732718543634833835?s=46

[Toronto Villa]

Edit: I see this is being discussed in the celebrity thread. Mods feel free to close this thread.

[Somniloquism]

Actually take the posts from there into here as he deserves his own separate one as the other thread is also about faux fans which he is definitely not.

[paul_e]

Yeah I agree keep this for him, I've met him many times and aside from being a massive villa fan and probably the most talented speaker I've ever heard in the flesh he was also one of the nicest and kindest of people. Villa and Birmingham as a whole has lost a genuinely great man today.

[darren woolley]

I've met him once he was real gentleman very sad news.

[TheMalandro]

What terrible news. A proper gentleman.

[Duncan Shaw]

That's very sad news.

[SamTheMouse]

Very sad news, I always liked listening to him, he was a gifted wordsmith and by all accounts a lovely human being. Another HEITS. Hope he's given a fitting send-off.

[PeterWithesShin]

His poetry wasn't my thing, but that's more poetry overall than about his ability as he was obviously very talented. He was though a great orator, and everything i've heard about him is that he was a very good human being. The world, and especially our city, is a bit darker today.

[tomd2103]

Very sad news.  RIP Benjamin, I hope there is some kind of fitting tribute at the match on Saturday.

[JUAN PABLO]

Tears in my eyes last night after that win.

Tears in my eyes hearing this.

[Billy Walker]

Sad, sad news. Sincere sympathy to all the great mans's family and friends.

[Sexual Ealing]

Yeah I agree keep this for him, I've met him many times and aside from being a massive villa fan and probably the most talented speaker I've ever heard in the flesh he was also one of the nicest and kindest of people. Villa and Birmingham as a whole has lost a genuinely great man today.

All this. I met him a few times and he was lovely. A really vital, powerful voice in our culture too. So sad to lose him so young.

[Axl Rose]

Very sad news.

What a massive loss. Too young.

[Witton Warrior]

Oh buggery!

Such a great poet, character and Brummie/Villa ambassador!
Loved the guy and his word play

I just hope he saw the score!