Football Programmes Centre

treble99 · Joined: 31 May 2010 Posts: 998 Location: manchester

i am sure that many of the older programme collectors will be saddened to hear of the passing of David Howgate.
i have been informed that after a long illness David passed away last Wednesday.
he was based in Southport and until recently held an annual programme fair at the Southport Floral Hall.
i for one was an annual visitor to this event.
i had family,in Southport, who i visited on the day of the fair and took a good old fashioned blow down the front.
he was as honest as the day was long and very opinionated and animated in his views on the hobby and the people that were in it.
he hated the fees the auction houses charge and had an ongoing fight about what is and what isn't vatable on hammer price and auctioneers fees.
he marked his own items up by an exact percentage so it wasn't unusual to see him selling things for £4.37 in the early days of decimilisation.

he was always "interestingly" dressed and often wore shorts and a football shirt for top auctions at Sothebys(Bond Street,London) and Christies(Knightsbridge,London)
you knew when it was cold because he put a tracksuit on.

i am led to believe that Programme Monthly is being asked by his good friend John Cross to run an obituary piece on him.
RIP

WileBrownAstle · Joined: 03 Nov 2009 Posts: 1042 Location: Crewe

R.I.P
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Vintage Steve · Joined: 07 Dec 2009 Posts: 42 Location: Northampton

I had the pleasure of dealing with David on many occasions. He certainly was a man of principles who ruffled more than a few feathers along the way.However, I'm sure that I can speak for many collectors and traders alike, that he will be sorely missed.

garyspain · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 900

RIP David. I never met him but dealt with him by mail and phone for many many years.

bisphamseasider · Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 2731 Location: Blackpool

Very sad news.
I had many dealings with David and chatted to him at the Southport fair and other events on a number of occasions.
He provided me with some choice items over the years through mail order in the early days and latterly on E-bay.
He certainly did have strong views on most aspects of the hobby especially auction fees and E-bay's policy of forcing Paypal on everyone.
I am sure PM will write a fitting tribute to one of the hobbies most respected participants.
R.I.P. David.

hibernian · Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Posts: 600

RIP David. Met at a couple of auctions years sgo and we carried out a few mutual swaps over the years as well.
I had still been buying until recently on ebay.
The man had some collection.

tommy · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 180 Location: Planet Earth

RIP David. I have fond memories of David attending auctions dressed in his sports gear and carrying his sports Southport FC holdall. A true character of the football collecting world.

landorerocks · Joined: 31 Jul 2010 Posts: 197 Location: swansea

R.I.P

JJPROGRAMMES · Joined: 25 Nov 2009 Posts: 562

Sad news.

Bought a fair few off him over the years,

R.I.P.

Tynie Topics · Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Posts: 3572

RIP David. Never met him but dealt with him off and on over the last 25 years, one of the familiar names in the hobby who will be sadly missed.
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ToffeeDan · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 2148 Location: Wirral

Can I just echo everyone else's comments.

RIP

Rocky · Joined: 15 Jun 2009 Posts: 1537

Very sad news indeed. I fondly remember him (accompanied by his wife) at the Pudsey fair many years ago advising me in regard to the pros and cons of programme collecting and then selling me a load of Middlesbrough 50's progs. Had some cracking progs off him via Ebay as well, but as previously mentioned he didn't like Paypal!

RIP Sad

mancitymark · Joined: 25 Nov 2008 Posts: 994

RIP
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Wullie · Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 3423

What a shock, so sad. I bought some great stuff from him. I knew he hated paypal so i would post a cheque, and within two days the programme was on my doormat. One of my favourite sellers. RIP.

Posh1959 · Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Posts: 1227

One of the old school, always had quality items for sale. I had great respect for him as he always spoke his mind and he was usually right. I dealt with him and met him many times, his stall at any fair was always the best stall at the fair. a true character and one that the hobby will truly miss.

RIP Dave

CelticFan1888 · Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2010 12:25 am Post subject:

Was david 58casuals on ebay ? i am sure i bought a good few items off him and found him to be a true gentleman and very helpful for a younger collector like me ... R.I.P
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Posh1959 · Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Posts: 1227

Yes 58casuals was his final Ebay name.

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

Just back from holiday in Tenerife and was saddened to hear of the passing of a true gent - despite what some of the prudes in the hobby thought. David never gave them a second thought anyway!
I had a stall at the last 3 of his Fairs at Southport and they were always excellent. Well advertised, and consequently, well attended, and his dry sense of humour was always well received. We used to talk a lot about Scottish non league football, David had done the 39, and most of the Highland League clubs as well, but I could never tempt him to Auchinleck. He always maintained he'd never get sufficient insurance.
Rest in peace old pal, you're sadly missed, as is your advice and humour.