Ian Hands

[kcs]

It's with regret and sadness that I received the news last night that Ian Hands passed away on Monday evening.

RIP Ian.
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[Ruud Van Driver]

Although I never met Ian I dealt with him many times both as a buyer and seller, he always came across as a really nice chap.

How very sad - RIP Ian

[NWM Football]

Very sad news, one of the most respected gents in the business. Big loss to the hobby.

I first met Ian when Hayes played Crawley in the F.A. Cup 2nd Round back in 1991, so have had the pleasure of knowing and dealing with him on and off for approaching 25 years.

Was one of the dealers who kept the West London Fair going when it looked to be on the wane some years ago, as well as being a regular at many other events. It will be very odd at the next WL Fair in July looking at his corner and realising he won't be there. Still had his shop at Crawley on match days too.
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Visit http://nwmfootball.com/ for programmes, books, DVDs, shirts & sportswear and other football collectables. Click here http://nwmfootball.com/nwm-diary/ to see which Programme Fairs and Antiques & Collectors' Fairs we will be attending.

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Oh dear, that's very sad. I met him quite a bit over the years, a really nice fellow and completely fair and honest - as befits a former copper.

Danny Roberts will probably have more to say as I know they worked together quite a bit a fairs etc.

RIP Ian, you will be badly missed.

[holtie96]

Oh my goodness I can't believe this news, what a sad loss to the hobby.
He was always willing to help and was a gent.

[pafcprogs]

Simply awful news

met Ian recently when he took me to Crawley Plymouth and he was in fine form....left me a message to call him a few days ago which my wife forgot and then with the Play Off final so did I....which makes me feel worse...

A true gent

RIP Ian
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Currently disposing of my collection so please email any wants lists to [email protected].
Most Plymouth post 1959 but plenty of others including reserves, friendlies, Cup Finals Internationals and Club issues, handbooks and other sports.

[goonerboy]

I can only add similar good things about him. Have dealt with him over the years both at fairs and on eBay and he was a truly decent bloke. I saw him at the portsmouth fair about a month ago and he was in good form although looking a bit frail. I never met anyone who had a bad word to say about him. A sad loss and condolescences to his family from the programme/memorabilia community.

[Auchinleckian]

Old school and will be very sadly missed. Bought a lot of stuff from him over the years. RIP Ian.

[manchesterunitedman1]

Absolutely gobsmacked!!

I only received a few bits from him the other day and I wrote to him about a few days prior and received no reply, which I thought was rather odd for him.

He has mountains of stock and always used to say he is getting it offered from all over the place-that is what happens when you have a good name as an honest and decent man above everything else-a lesson to some horrible bastards who frequent the hobby.

I have known him many years and we met from time to time, the last time we spoke I was going to go to see him when I went to Wembley for the Final and my intention was to go to Sussex the day before and stay over but my plans were disrupted and I never could get there.

I am so sad to hear this news-the hobby has lost a great guy who will not be replaced.

I just hope that his family is left alone before the ghouls pounce-he told me only recently that "he never knew what was in all the boxes and he would dip into one and put on ebay but do not ask me to find anything else for your club-I know its there but where I cannot say!"

So long dear friend............. RIP
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[cfcmartin1965]

I was only with Ian about 12 days ago at the Southampton Programme Fair.
First had dealings with Ian over 15 years ago when I started to collect Chelsea programmes again and have spent a fair few quid over the years with him.
Ian will be sorely missed not only at the West London Fair but at all the other fairs he regularly had stalls at.
My condolences are with his family & friends at this sad time.

Martin

[holtie96]

Well deserved tribute below
http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/crawley-town-3132704.aspx

[wandererpaul]

Very sad. RIP.
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Not Forgotten; Allwright, Greechan, Hagan, Kennedy, Littler, Purver, Robotham, Saunders, Shields

[kcs]

I saw Ian the day he passed away.

He drove from Crawley to meet me at Maidstone services to buy some Kent League programmes from me and as part of the deal sold me a superb Ashford 32/3 home.

We spoke at the services for about an hour - all things programmes of course.

He passed away later that evening/night.

I am still stunned and upset at the news. Top man!!

Sleep well sir.
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Showcase your collection in an online programme guide!
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[London Lilywhite]

Shocked to hear this. A great loss to the world of programme collecting.

RIP Ian.
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Collecting Nunhead, Dover and Dulwich Hamlet

[Fishy]

All of the above.

Thank you for our dealings through the years.

RIP Ian

[Paul Johnson]

shocked to hear the sad news. dealt with Ian for a number of years now and met him for the first time last season at the Crawley v Notts county match at his programme hut and came away with about 6 boxes of programmes !!!!

A very likeable fella who was having some health issues and one who will be sadly missed.

RIP IH

[President]

I bought from Ian at the Southampton fair and was interested in his collection of trade cards ,,not that I collect them ,a big shock and one that makes us all think live today to the full as you don't know

[CHRIS GIBBS]

As someone who had dealings with Ian over a number of years, the sad news of his death has come as a big shock. He was a regular stall holder at the programme fairs I organise at Portsmouth FC and we had done many an exchange when his Crawley Town and Pompey met, something we never though would happen ten years ago. He would turn up at our fairs, light a fag, get out the coffee and let his son and helper Kim do all the work. RIP Ian and condolences to his family.

[Shotsman]

I have also dealt with Ian for more years than I care to remember so I agree with all the sentiments expressed by others. In these difficult times he was one of a select band you could always depend upon. It is doubly sad for my family as my brother and sister in law worked with Ian in the Crawley Police Station for many years, he will be sorely missed by many communities but will always be remembered and held in the highest regard and affection

[daiward]

Leslie Millman could not have put it better.

Goodbye dear friend & colleague.

RIP