A Marathon for Michael

[Dougal]

My best friend passed away yesterday. Michael was one of our own. That was my fault. I led him to Spurs when we were kids. Last night, he was at peace under a Spurs flag and blanket. We were neighbours at the age of 6. Best friends for nearly 40 years. He was my groomsman at my wedding. Cancer has taken him from us at 45 years of age.

Ill health meant he had to give up his season ticket. I contacted the club to see if there was anything they could do, send a message of some sort. But I did it too late.

I’d like to send a message still with a minute applause at the Villa game. 10th minute as Kane was his favourite player. A lot of you know me from here but in order for this to work it’ll probably have to go to Twitter, where I don’t normally really encourage a following. I’d appreciate if you could get this out there with the hashtag #minute4Mick so I can keep track of it. I’ll update the thread with more about him over the coming weeks, once I get my head around it all. Thanks all.

EDIT: A minute for Michael has become A Marathon for Michael as I will be using the ballot place I waited so long for to raise money for the Hospice that cared for him so well.

I’m helping raise money for SS John and Elizabeth Charity
Support me at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marathon4mick

 

[cider spurs]

@Dougal

Try and keep yer chin up buddy. Tough times.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Yep, sorry for your loss mate - The big C is an absolute ****

 

[Dougal]

 

[hughy]

Sorry to hear Dougal. Thoughts with you and the rest of Michael's friends and family.

 

[onthetwo]

Awful news Dougal...deepest condolences to you and his family.
You must have had some fun (aka 'agony' for non-Spurs supporters) over the years together so hope those memories will see you through a very tough time.

 

[stonecolddeanaustin]

No way! I used to sit next to him (and Richard, I think his name was?) for the year or two we were at Wembley. Didn't know him too well but he seemed a lovely fella. My condolences to you and his family and friends.

 

[Dougal]

No way! I used to sit next to him (and Richard, I think his name was?) for the year or two we were at Wembley. Didn't know him too well but he seemed a lovely fella. My condolences to you and his family and friends.

Yep, that’s him. And it was Richard too. Mick has a fairly memorable face, this wouldn’t be the first time this has happened! He was lovely. A gentle giant. He’s battled one thing or another since birth and for that reason he wasn’t like anyone you’d ever meet. So when you did, you remembered. Lovely to hear, thanks.

 

[stonecolddeanaustin]

Yep, that’s him. And it was Richard too. Mick has a fairly memorable face, this wouldn’t be the first time this has happened! He was lovely. A gentle giant. He’s battled one thing or another since birth and for that reason he wasn’t like anyone you’d ever meet. So when you did, you remembered. Lovely to hear, thanks.

Yeah, the epitome of a gentle giant. So sorry for your loss and hope you get traction with the minute4mick.

 

[marion52]

So sorry for your loss. It’s a terrible disease that take too many too soon

 

[Dougal]

Yeah, the epitome of a gentle giant. So sorry for your loss and hope you get traction with the minute4mick.

You know what has just come back to me after so many years? How much he loved Stone Cold Steve Austin. Unlocked a whole store of new memories. I used to tell him to shave his balding head and grow a goatee. Thanks.

 

[Dirty Ewok]

Sorry for your loss.

Such a horrible disease that steals them so young.

 

[littlewilly]

I'm really sorry to hear that Dougal. Sounds like you were a belter of a friend to him too.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Really sorry to hear mate ? hope we can get this going at the next game ???

 

[stonecolddeanaustin]

You know what has just come back to me after so many years? How much he loved Stone Cold Steve Austin. Unlocked a whole store of new memories. I used to tell him to shave his balding head and grow a goatee. Thanks.

Here's one I have for you. There was this guy sat a few seats down from us and every time we'd be under the cosh he'd make ridiculous noises, half tongue-in-cheek and half genuinely panicked I think. Michael would imitate it properly taking the piss out of him. Richard would just look at me as if to say "yeah he really shouldn't do this but what can I do about it". He had the level down to a tee though and I don't think the guy ever clocked on. Very funny every week.

 

[Dougal]

Here's one I have for you. There was this guy sat a few seats down from us and every time we'd be under the cosh he'd make ridiculous noises, half tongue-in-cheek and half genuinely panicked I think. Michael would imitate it properly taking the piss out of him. Richard would just look at me as if to say "yeah he really shouldn't do this but what can I do about it". He had the level down to a tee though and I don't think the guy ever clocked on. Very funny every week.

Sounds about right, he’d take us all off. He had a wickedly deadpan sense of humour which would really catch you off guard going with his usual gentle demeanour.

 

[G Ron]

Really sorry to hear this @Dougal - 45 is still so young. Life can be so cruel, but I hope the memories you made with Spurs will keep Michaels memory very much alive.

deepest condolences

 

[thecook]

Keep strong Dougal. It's no age for someone to pass away, really hope we can get this off the ground and help you celebrate the life of your good friend.

 

[Rob]

Really sorry to hear this :-( Have retweeted it via our all accounts but let us know if we can do anything else.

 

[mmidgers]

Sorry for your loss Dougal.