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Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
Views: 1648
It’s with regret to inform you that I’ve received an email to advise that one of our most committed supporters, Richard Gillis (aka Stevenage Loyal) passed away in November. We were notified by Richard’s sole estate executor as they had recently discovered advising of Richard’s season ticket.
Richard lived in Wimbledon and travelled alone from there to all home games and most away games, and was a well known face on the East Terrace. He will be sadly missed, and we will always be grateful for his unwavering support.
I know some of you on here were wondering of him not that long ago, so I wanted you to know.
RIP Loyal. Rest easy.
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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A true gentleman and passionate supporter of our football club.
My one lasting memory of him will be the time away at Scunthorpe a few years ago me, Loyal and Stevenage Zulu had to get the Megabus back to Doncaster station.
Up on the top deck was probably the most I had heard him talk in all the years I had known him.
We had a laugh with all the stories we were telling each other.
But as soon we got to the station off the bus he got and off he went at a brisk pace to catch his train.
Thanks for the memories Richard.
RIP Loyal
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Richard was a lovely man he had a black book that he wrote in. I always made a point of going to speak to him especially at away games .He made me laugh one week we played Wimbledon and he got on the wrong train it made me smile, he was a clever man and will be sadly missed
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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RIP Richard. A real fan
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Sad news. RIP Loyal, a true football and Boro fan.
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Well this one hurts… My family and I stood next to Loyal for over 20 years. His unassuming, gentle face is permanently etched into some of the greatest memories we have had of supporting Boro.
He was a kind chap and not someone you’d usually get much more than a few words out of, but he was as passionate as they came and you can tell that Boro played a huge part in his life.
It’s rare to have the utmost respect for a relative stranger that you don’t know personally, but everyone looked out for him, no one ever said a bad word about him, and no doubt he will be missed by many.
Rest easy, Sir. You were a Gentleman and I thank you hundreds of hours of relatively silent company over the years. A nod, smile and first pump back to you should we have the pleasure of meeting again one day.
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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You must stand near me! Loyal partially blocked my view on the East for decades. He beat me to (every) station even though he never left early. He laughed weakly at my pissed jokes on said platforms from time to time too. He looked a bit like my dad, so my special envoy types who I allow to accompany me to games, christened him ‘Rob’s dad’ long ago.
We should probably retire the bit of the East he stood on, or applaud him, but as others have said, he was a shy individual and probably wouldn’t want that.
Very sad news. RIP to a great boro fan
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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RIP Loyal
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Very sad news, RIP Loyal
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Another memorable Boro fan lost. RIP.
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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My enduring memory is walking pretty purposefully from Prenton Park to Green Lane station only to find Loyal already sat on it having presumably got on at Rock Ferry. He must've been pretty fit since he wouldn't have left early. Added to the sense that seeing him at some point was an essential game day feature.
RIP
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Spot Loyal in the away end was simply part of the matchday routine :(
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Yes we used to play a game called pictures with Boris . We would take pictures and get Richard in the picture with us at every away game.
It’s been a little odd not seeing him at railway ( train ) stations around the country and knowing we won’t see him going forward makes the world a little sadder .
RIP loyal , Boris , Richard .
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Rest in Peace the most loyal, Richard. He rarely missed a game home or away so we all missed seeing him on the ET. Only issues with public transport stopped him attending any of our games home or away. I shall remember him as a very fit and healthy man always in his trademark brown atire. He got hooked on our club before he retired when he worked in Hatfield. Thats why he brought his brown breifcase with him to games if he'd been working. Chuds always used to joke that it was filled with £50 notes ! He walked everywhere at break neck speed (I would struggle running to keep up with him!!) to and from Stevenage Rsilway Station and others around the country. A very quietly spoken chap but so enthusiastic. As Chuds has already said, his fist clench and the words "come on!" still ring in my ears. He will be sadly missed by all that were lucky enough to be around him for all of these 20 years +. RIP Richard The Loyal
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Part of our club's lore. Sad news to hear about a dedicated fan. RIP Richard.
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Ah that’s very sad. Rest in peace
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Sad news. Lost a great and unique one there.
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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A true icon of the club.
Known by most, without actually being known by many at all as he was a very private man, but we will all have had stories of him and his public transport adventures around the country, with his bag or briefcase.
From the couple of chats I had, he was a humble and lovely man, and truly loyal to the club.
RIP Loyal.
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3 people
Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Sad to hear. 😢
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Sad news. RIP.
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Am I right in thinking he travelled to games by Train and midweek games he would attend with a briefcase ?
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Yea that’s Richard.
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Very sad news.
R.I.P Richard.
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Another one of our characters gone.Used to love chatting to him at Station after a game , he going South and me North.RIP.
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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A very nice man, who would always talk to you, with a vast amount of knowledge
He will be sadly missed
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Brilliant supporter of the club, we’ll never forget that iconic briefcase! Rest well Loyal. 💫
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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Good man - took him to the station a couple of times at away games . Loved his passion . He will be missed .
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Re: Sad News - Stevenage Loyal
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What a sad loss, and what a lovely guy. I’d been wondering what had happened to him - I think we heard he was ill some months ago so doubly sad to hear he didn’t get through that. I spoke to him many times, occasionally sitting with him at some distant and under-attended away fixtures. He stood near me on the East and always nodded and raised a smile, though rarely shared his opinions unless especially animated, which itself was rare. Hopefully he’ll find East Coast Boro in the celestial stadium and they’ll watch on together. Fly high, Richard.
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