ErikthViking
UTC Legend
It is my sad, yet proud, duty to inform the assembled here of the passing of one of the greatest supporters of our club in modern times.
Quite a number of you knew him.
He was not a great online presence, but at matches from 1967 until his last appearances a season back, he was known as the really big bloke with the beard, hat, bag and notebook. The notebook being the way that he recorded his match reports that he wrote for the exiles club. Those who read them will know of his sometimes obtuse, yet eloquent records of matches long gone by.
I am grateful to have known Peter since 1971 when we met on an awayday at Swansea (which is very close to the place of his birth).
I could relate a zillion stories about Peter Wicks, but what better tribute than to say that he was pretty much part of the AFCB furniture for 40 odd years. He was there at all the triumphs, but more importantly all the great disasters. He was one of the 168 at Accrington and one of the 72 at Blyth. His view was always, 'well we' ve had worse' and he would know because he would have been there. Tuesday night at Orient in the eighties when we were about 40, New Year at Chesterfield when we numbered just 32, Maidstone (at Dartford) in the Mrs Miggins Pie Trophy and so, so many more that he attended but I cannot record as I was not as faithful a follower as he.
Those who knew Peter, will be familiar with his liking for a pint and his dedication to the cause of real ale. He always knew the best pub. How else would we have found the wonderful Fighting Cocks in Bradford? Many is the occasion when he said that we had time for 'just one more ' and then we had to run like hell to make the kick off.
If you did not know Peter Wicks then imagine a man who you could truly say had only friends and was one of the greats.
I could, and may, write more but I am still in shock.
Peter passed peacefully just after midnight on 22nd July in Salisbury hospital after a time of ill health (see paragraph about real ale coupled with an unfortunate genetic arrangement). But we should celebrate a Boscombe life well lived and he did get to see us reach where we are today.
For now, I will say that the funeral is at St. Leonards Church in Bulford at 14.30 on Friday the 9th of August. No flowers, colourful summer dress. All are welcome, wear your shirts and scarves.
I will miss you, Peter.
Quite a number of you knew him.
He was not a great online presence, but at matches from 1967 until his last appearances a season back, he was known as the really big bloke with the beard, hat, bag and notebook. The notebook being the way that he recorded his match reports that he wrote for the exiles club. Those who read them will know of his sometimes obtuse, yet eloquent records of matches long gone by.
I am grateful to have known Peter since 1971 when we met on an awayday at Swansea (which is very close to the place of his birth).
I could relate a zillion stories about Peter Wicks, but what better tribute than to say that he was pretty much part of the AFCB furniture for 40 odd years. He was there at all the triumphs, but more importantly all the great disasters. He was one of the 168 at Accrington and one of the 72 at Blyth. His view was always, 'well we' ve had worse' and he would know because he would have been there. Tuesday night at Orient in the eighties when we were about 40, New Year at Chesterfield when we numbered just 32, Maidstone (at Dartford) in the Mrs Miggins Pie Trophy and so, so many more that he attended but I cannot record as I was not as faithful a follower as he.
Those who knew Peter, will be familiar with his liking for a pint and his dedication to the cause of real ale. He always knew the best pub. How else would we have found the wonderful Fighting Cocks in Bradford? Many is the occasion when he said that we had time for 'just one more ' and then we had to run like hell to make the kick off.
If you did not know Peter Wicks then imagine a man who you could truly say had only friends and was one of the greats.
I could, and may, write more but I am still in shock.
Peter passed peacefully just after midnight on 22nd July in Salisbury hospital after a time of ill health (see paragraph about real ale coupled with an unfortunate genetic arrangement). But we should celebrate a Boscombe life well lived and he did get to see us reach where we are today.
For now, I will say that the funeral is at St. Leonards Church in Bulford at 14.30 on Friday the 9th of August. No flowers, colourful summer dress. All are welcome, wear your shirts and scarves.
I will miss you, Peter.
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