Football Programmes Centre

SeasideMark · Joined: 24 Oct 2014 Posts: 612

Here's a sad little tale...
Up here in Prestatyn we had a street busker, well into his 70s, who all his life had collected football badges.
To say Michael had not been dealt a kind hand was an understatement, he had been dogged by ill-health for the past 20 years or so, lived alone in a dingy flat in Rhyl, had no family and few friends if any.
He would strum his acoustic guitar and sing Tommy Steele songs in the streets of Rhyl and Prestatyn to earn a few bob to supplement his pension and twice a week he would come in my shop and buy football badges.
He always bought two and put two aside for his next visit, this ritual went on week in week out for the three years I have been trading.
He had a speaking voice that was worse than his singing voice and would hang around talking football (Spurs actually - his lifelong love) with me and Les, my helper, for hours.
We would make him a brew and chat patiently until Mike's lack of personal hygiene got the better of us and we would have to ask him to leave.
He was a nice guy down on his luck and I tried to do my best to help him out as far as patience would allow.
He often talked of his badge collection but only said he had 'loads' and was vague on detail.
Anyway, you get the picture.
Six or seven weeks ago Mike stopped coming in, no-one saw him, the shop doorways he frequented with his guitar were empty.
Transpired he had suffered a massive heart attack and died alone in his squalid flat. It was five days before his body was found, lying half in and half out of bed.
I only found this out today when one of his few mates came in the shop with a carrier bag rammed with non-league pin badges - over 2,000 of them all stored in chocolate boxes from the 60s and 70s.
It seemed Mike had told his pal that if anything happened to him his non-league badge collection was to come to me. I was choked.
If any forum members collect non-league badges I will gladly check wants lists, just drop me a PM or call me on 07753 966805.
The saddest postscript to this tale is that Mike's body has been in the morgue for over three weeks as our local council won't release his body for a pauper's burial until they have evidence that someone can actually pay for it.
I will donate any money from sales of these badges to the fund.
The pictures show about a third of what was brought in.
Diolch pawb
Mark

TheMusic · Joined: 13 Aug 2011 Posts: 533

Do you have a Ponteland United one there? Either way, I don't collect badges but please put me down for a fiver towards the cause. You should be proud you helped give him some happiness towards the end of his life with your kind hospitality and of course your badges which he clearly appreciated. Good on you.

PhilWBA · Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2016 4:45 pm Post subject:

Sad to hear that. RIP

Not much of a badge collector, I do have a few Spanish I keep and add to from time to time but if there is anything from Oldbury United, Sandwell Borough, Smethwick Highfield, Ashtree Highfield or Tividale let me know
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littlewiggy · Joined: 07 Apr 2013 Posts: 1801 Location: Newport

Very saddened reading that, the poor bugger.

The kindness you extended to him and all those cuppas obviously meant a lot to him Mark.

Much more than you realised.

PS. Have you considered creating a "Go Fund Me" page for Michael's burial and sharing your story around the footy forums / social media plugging it?

There's a lot of good-hearted folk out there just like yourself.

Posh1959 · Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Posts: 1218

Very very sad, he obviously really valued your company. Hope he gets the send off that anybody deserves. Rest in peace Michael.

Tynie Topics · Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Posts: 3509

Jeezo. I’m not a badge collector but if there’s anything Scotland related or Scottish non-league let me know.

Even if there’s not, happy to chuck a few bob towards helping get this poor guy a decent burial. He was clearly a collector/hoarder like all of us and your generosity and patience undoubtedly meant a lot to him.
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Dorking · Joined: 05 Feb 2010 Posts: 2422

You are a true gent Mark, I hope those badges serve him well.

Fishy · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 1217

Superblue · Joined: 20 Aug 2015 Posts: 267 Location: Carlisle

Sad story, it seems the blokes life was busking and visiting your shop and you making him welcome and giving him a cuppa on every visit made his day. What a lovely Collection he had and I hope he gets a proper burial soon. I agree with a earlier post that you should start a go fund me page, I'm sure there plenty of forum members and football fans that would make a donation.

The sad fact is that there is hundreds of people like him up and down the country.

Kyle

Five and In · Joined: 15 Sep 2015 Posts: 1410 Location: Dawlish, Devon

It just shows how much the little things matter.
Giving Michael time to talk obviously became a huge part of his week and good on you for doing so Mark.
As previously mentioned on here, the fund seems a good idea., but a local newspaper would probably cover the story and could raise funds too?

Pete’s Picture Palace · Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2016 11:41 am Post subject:

Mark, you're a saint.

There but for the grace of God - there could be a few on here thinking that.

Please let me know if you do set up a funding page, I'll be there.

holtie96 · Joined: 30 May 2009 Posts: 2309

Me too

derby1884 · Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2016 1:23 am Post subject:

i despair at the inequality we put up with in the name of "free trade" as the rich get richer and bugger everyone else.

We like to think of ourselves as civilised - and, as a rule, we are - but our elected representatives' priorities are, and always have been, elsewhere....

Anything Penzance-related I'd be interested in, Mark.
Or anything else related to Cornwall clubs.
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Eck · Joined: 25 Aug 2012 Posts: 2548

Shame, poor soul, I don't collect but i'll buy £20 worth - don't mind what they are but Havant & Waterlooville, Fareham, Gosport.

se20blue · Joined: 21 Jul 2014 Posts: 853

What a sad story, makes one think what could happen.
Would be happy to buy any Bromley or Ipswich Town badges.

Mark, please let us know if a fund is set up for the funeral.

Regards

Don

beaudog · Joined: 06 Nov 2011 Posts: 300 Location: st11 9rh

It happens with me. People come to the stall and chat about football and anything else that crops up. Often they are not making a purchase, but the fact that they can talk to someone on a regular basis is so important and it becomes part of their weekly ritual and they enjoy it. It is a help to them and the stall is often a meeting place. So well done Mark and it looks as though you are able to help the chap with a fund. Make it public and I am sure the story will touch many collectors' hearts.

bigearl79 · Joined: 03 Nov 2013 Posts: 440

Indeed a sad tale. Shared this on my facebook and to a few related groups.

SeasideMark · Joined: 24 Oct 2014 Posts: 612

I am really touched by the all the kind words - it seems poor Michael's sad demise has a touched a nerve with us all. I have ben a bit quiet on this since my original post as there may be more to tell but I won't find out till the weekend. I will keep you all informed. Bear with me.
Diolch pawb.
Mark

Auchinleckian · Forum Moderator Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 4352

I'll throw a tenner in Mark if you let me know details.

If you have any Scottish non league badges I'd certainly be interested in having a list of them please?

thanks, John

Texas Rangers · Joined: 03 Oct 2015 Posts: 268

I'm in too. So sad to hear that but you can be proud that you made a difference in this poor old fellows life.

I know you mentioned non league but if the collection extends past that and there are any Rangers items l'd be interested.