The Last London Gangster

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LILIAN THOMAS It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our precious Mum on April 11th at Hereford County Hospital, aged 86. Devoted Mother to Adrian and Wendy, Mother in Law to Karen and Chris, dearly loved Nanny to Anne, Kate, Matthew and Lauren, loving Sister to Noreen and much loved Friend to so many. Due to the current circumstances a private family service will be held at Fownhope Church, and a celebration of Lilian’s life will take place at a later date. Further enquiries to Cathedral Funeral Services 01432 340777 ROGER ALLEN SPAREY Of Presteigne, Passed away on Sunday 26th April 2020, aged 82 years. Much loved Husband of Dorothy, Father of David, Ron, Robin, Martyn and Diane. A much loved Grandfather and Great Grandfather. Will be missed by all his Family and Friends. Funeral Arrangements by A W Hughes & Son Funeral Directors on Kington 01544 370217 Presteigne 01544 267778 JOHN STENNER-EVANS The death occurred peacefully at home on Saturday 18th April of Mr John Stenner-Evans, aged 74 years of Redstone Court, Narberth, formerly of Hay-on-Wye. John will be sadly missed by his Family and many Friends. A Private funeral service will take place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth. Donations in memory of John will be for Lymphoma Research Trust c/o E. C. Thomas & Son, Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH or 21, Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4JS or via www.ecthomasandson.co.uk. Hello Ian,” smiles Mr. Pigden. “Long time no see.” Wright immediately removes his hat, a sincere and unconscious mark of respect, before admitting that he had been told his teacher had passed away years beforehand. “I can’t believe this, someone said you were dead,” the footballer says. He was a guiding light all the way through my career, as people saw in the video when I was reunited with him. I dedicated my book to him and I think that was the least I could do for somebody that literally turned my life around, in respect to teaching me how to be a decent human being.” GERALDINE REECE Of Ewyas Harold, Herefordshire. Passed away peacefully on April 24th, 2020. Beloved Wife of the late Ernest Reece. She will be greatly missed by all her Family and Friends. There will be a private Burial at St Michael’s Church, Ewyas Harold, followed by a Celebration of her life at a later date.

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But just as he saw something in Ian, his former headmaster saw something in him – and funded him to take evening classes to get his school certificate.

He was rough with my mum and rough with all of us kids. And I don’t know why, but he didn’t like me in particular. He didn’t take the usual route into the game and, aged 19, was working a manual labour job, playing non-league football and sending hand-written letters to all the clubs around London, looking for someone — anyone — to take a chance and give him his break. He’s been flown into Dublin for the day as an ambassador for Cadbury’s, meeting supporters and recalling stories of his 15-year career where he won it all — a Premier League title, two FA Cups, one League Cup, one European Cup Winners’ Cup, a Uefa Intertoto Cup and the old First Division Golden Boot in 1992.

He added: “I loved football but he wouldn’t let us watch Match of the Day. We slept in the same room as the television, so we’d be in bed and he’d make us turn towards the wall so we could hear it but not see it.” He’s somebody that is very special to me,” he recalls speaking today. “But I think what was more important to me than anything was how much he actually loved being a teacher. It’s amazing what a teacher can do to somebody in their life.” While my mum drank my stepdad did nothing but smoke weed and gamble,” Ian recalled in his ­autobiography A Life in Football.