Tributes flood in for Baggies’ fan Vic Stirrup
Monday 28th November 2011, 11:30AM GMT.
Vic Stirrup spent a lifetime supporting his beloved West Bromwich Albion. His devotion to the Baggies even won him a national award that was featured on BBC’s Match of the Day.
The Smethwick super fan’s death on Friday, at at the age of 93, has brought tributes galore, with contributors including some of Albion’s playing greats.
Vic, of William Road, had supported the Baggies for 87 years and had only missed a clutch of games since the Second World War.
The former newsagent’s unwavering support for the club included cycling to and from the Baggies’ record defeat at Stoke in 1937 and holding a season ticket from 1938 to the present day. He was even voted Barclays Fan of the Year in 2005.
The pensioner’s last match at the Hawthorns was the 2-0 defeat of Wolves just last month.
Baggies record goalscoring legend Tony ‘Bomber’ Brown, who had known Vic for more than 40 years, paid tribute.
He said: “I am devastated because I knew Vic and had known him for a long time.
“When I played in the 60s and 70s he used to go to games with my father-in-law and I used to get them tickets.
“So we go back a long way and Vic was a real character and a total Albion fanatic.
“Every time I met him I was reminded of what a character he was so it was a big shock when I heard the news he had passed away.
“He was so well-known and well-liked at The Hawthorns, and to keep on attending the matches in recent years, when he has been in poor health, just shows how committed he was.
“He will be a great loss to everybody at the club.”
Another 1968 FA Cup-winner, Bobby Hope, added: “It’s really sad news. He must have been Albion’s longest-serving and most committed supporter.
“I can’t imagine too many people have ever supported a club for as many years as he did. I’d like to send my condolences to his family.”
The club also released a statement which read: “West Bromwich Albion Football Club are deeply saddened to hear of ‘super fan’ Vic Stirrup’s passing.
“Vic loyally followed the club through thick and thin for a staggering 87 years and was a season ticket holder since 1938.
“Vic will be sorely missed by everyone at The Hawthorns and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”
As a tribute, the club will lower The Hawthorns’ flags to half-mast on the day of his funeral and a brick will also be laid in his memory in the forthcoming ‘Baggies Brick Road’ outside the East Stand turnstiles.
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Season Ticket holder since 1938….what a true fan.
He was a True gent RIP Vic
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Sad news of Vic, his attendance record will take some beating. R.I.P. Here’s to a figurative life-long ticket in the new system after judgement day.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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RIP Vic.
True supporter without a doubt.
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True football fan..RIP Vic..
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RIP Mr. Stirrup sir. Dedication like yours will never be repeated. God bless you and sleep tight young man.
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from a wolves fan to an albion fan what a fantastic guy well done kid, takes a lot of will, energy to do that
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You are the definition of a true football fan. Our club has lost a true supporter. Really makes you feel humble when people like Vic support your club.
RIP Vic.
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fairplay what a fan r.i.p vic prayers go 2 your famliy
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You have to take a bow to such dedicated people like this man was.
Up the Baggies Vic!
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From a Wolves fan R.I.P…..you are a credit to your club
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Vic you will be sorely missed by all the Former Players. A super fan and respected by everyone connected with The Baggies. Our sincere condolences go to his family.
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RIP Vic. The will certainly never be a true fan like you.
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First of all, thanks for the kind comments from the fans of our rivals, im sure Vic`s family will also take great comefort from those
What a lovely human being Vic must have been, a credit to his friends, family and community, I didnt know him but he`s one of us, a Baggie and we can all learn a lot from the charachter, determination and devotion of this true Black Country fella…
There`s a season ticket with your name on it waiting for you in the sky painted blue an white and its the best seat in the house
Rip young man
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What a fantastic supporter. R.I.P. Vic.
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I think they showed his picture on the big screen at the local derby?
I am sure the Baggies will give him a fitting send off…
Rivals we maybe but we are all football fans.
RIP
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R I P.Vic, Mr Superfan,
condolences to his family,
and nice to see messages from
Wolfies.
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As a lad going to Bristnall Hall High an abiding memory of Vic is him delivering the papers on his Chopper bike, had the pleasure of meeting him on a few occasions as well as going to Scouts with his sons, thoughts are with you, Andrew David and Sadie.
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Commiserations to the family and all of the best Vic’. Shine on in heaven,the Albion will be a poorer place without you.
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RIP Vic Stirrup, our condolences to his family.
Let’s give this great man the accolade he deserves and take the roof off the Hawthorns at our next home match in this man’s honour.
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RIP Vic you will be missed very much at the games, hope you now have the best seat in the house. god bless you x
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R.I.P Vic Stirrup,West Brom superfan and true gentleman.My thoughts and love go to your family at this sad time.You will be truly missed,God Bless.Thank you to all the wolves fans who have posted.You are a credit to your club.BOING BOING BAGGIES
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Rest in peace Vic Stirrup my old mate.
Credit to the Albion.
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I am sure Vic will be looking down and still giving his support to the Albion.
Sincere condolences to his family.
RIP Vic.
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R.I.P. Vic what a man.
Respect also to the Wolves fans for their kind wishes. I think the sad events of the weekend have shown what all true football supporters are about.
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I delivered newspapers for Vic way back in 1950s. we chatted a lot about our baggies everything stopped for saturday afternoon,he was full of energy and a great guy to work for
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THE HAWTHORNS SHOULD HAVE ONE MINUTES APPLAUSE AT THE NEXT HOME GAME FOR THIS LEGEND
MAKE IT SO
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I saw Vic occasionally at away games but never had the pleasure of an introduction, merely a nod and a ready smile. Certainly 87 years a Baggie will take some beating. I can’t see anyone topping that and that’s as it should be. I’ve done 67 but would have to live to 101 just to EQUAL Vic’s record!
R.I.P. Vic. PS: Can you divert a few goals away from our net once you’ve settled in up there?
PPS: Cheers to the Wulfies on here.
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Vic Stirrup- a gentleman,a ‘super fan’,and a legend.
The club will lay a brick in the path outside the stadium with your name on it,but no one can fill the gap left by you inside the Hawthorns.
R.I.P. Sir.
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Many many thanks for all of the kind words that have been written by Baggies fans.
Also many thanks to all of the Wolves fans who have posted kind messages – at times like these it it wonderful to see what true football fans are all about.
As a family we have been overwhelmed by the support of the entire footballing community.
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RIP Vic, respect ur dedication.
Cheers
Phippo (WWFC)
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The epitomy of dedication, he did things to get to games like cycle to Stoke, not many would do so nowadays, this should be a strong message to the present day players, who aren’t as connected to the fans, & aren’t as loyal,they should feel humbled & appreciative of all fans, many who are doing it tough.
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The family and friends of Vic Stirrup would like to thank everyone for the staggering amount of messages which have been received, following the news of Vic’s passing. We are extremely grateful of these, and are amazed at how many people held Vic in such high esteem.
We cannot express our thanks enough during this diffiicult time, and would finally like to thank you again for visiting this page. Whether you knew Vic personally or not, please donate what you can to support this excellent cause.
We would ask that you would continue to support the great work which is done by the RNLI, and donate in memory of Vic Stirrup.
http://www.justgiving.com/vicstirrup
Funeral Arrangements –
The funeral of Vic Stirrup will be held on Thursday 8th December 2011, 3pm Kick Off at West Bromwich Crematorium (B71 3SX).
The funeral cortege will go past The Hawthorns in Halford’s Lane at around 2.30pm.
Thanks again,
A very proud grandson,
Ben Hughes
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Vic,
Condolences to Vic’s family, a fine example of a true Football supporter….
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RIP Vic. A true supporter and a great gentleman.Had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times and I will never forget his kind gentle nature.
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i had the pleasure of sitting next to him and his friend at leicster, when craig beattie scored the last minute winner. the joy on his face probably meant the same then as it did those years ago.
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My grandfather used to walk from Blackheath to the Hawthorns to see home games. Life was different then, people didn’t think twice about walking or cycling long distances. Money was tight and usually spent wisely. Fans and players used to mix a lot more then as well. Wasn’t it the 1954 cup team that travelled down to Wembley on the same train as the fans. And I’ve heard stories about players who used to have a pint after the game with the fans. As an aside, I was told that Jeff Astle earned more as a window cleaner than as a player. There wasn’t a gap between players and fans then and this meant that the players really understood what it was like to let the fans down.
It’s probably the reason why old timers like Vic was so passionate about attending every game he could and also could be the reason why the Albion are seen as a family team.
The passing of any baggie diminishes that family and it saddens us all when it happens.
I would like to add my condolances to the family of Vic and I will think of him, as well as my grandfather and my uncle, next week.
In sadness
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36 Medway.
That’s a lovely post and just about says it all. I posted about Vic on a previous threads so I’ll just repeat my condolences to his family.
RIP Vic.
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A true football fan RIP Vic
Condolences to all the family from all at Midland (Choice Travel)
Excellent tributes from all followers and fans
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It is fitting that his last game he saw was beating us lol did I really say that. RIP to a true fan.
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What a top bloke, a TRUE fan. R.I.P Vic…
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RIP
True football fan
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R.I.P Vic, a true, loyal, dedicated football fan.
from a Wolves fan.
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