RIP 'King' Kev Barlow, Newcastle Thunder

[gogledd]

There are probably plenty of us on this Forum that came across Kev at sometime. His voice and chanting was unmistakable (BOOM BOOM, Thunder Army!!). He was fun, generous and always a good friend.

I sang 'Abide With Me' with Kev and the Fans Choir at the 2016 Challenge Cup Final. We had a great weekend and took advantage of a 2-for-1 offer at our hotel which ended up with 6 bottles of wine on our table...of course Kev was as fresh as a daisy the next morning!

We me up in Newcastle, Gateshead, Leigh, Galashiels (for a Scotland v Wales international) and of course Wrexham where he was very much loved.

Thoughts to family and friends especially Jim Bradley who was his ever-present mate.

RIP Kev

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1409601283932535&set=pcb.1409602790599051

Edited June 20 by gogledd

[Styx]

Such sad news was always a lovely bloke to get along side of at games. Met him a few times both up north and in deepest Gloucestershire.

[Angelic Cynic]

Upsetting news.

Heartened by the variety of people who have expressed condolences.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GHNGbZjv2/

[Celtic Roosters]

I'm so sorry to hear this news. What a top bloke. I stopped a few beers going bad with him all over the Country but mostly in the North East and South Wales. Many will miss Kev.

[OriginalMrC]

Saw this yesterday. Very sad news, loved him and the Thunder army when they came down to play Coventry Bears. A big loss and judging by the amount of comments he had a real positive impact on a lot of people over the years.

[AB Knight]

He’s one of those fans where you might not know their name but you see them a lot, either at matches or when the game is televised live. I encountered him a few times when I handled tickets for York Knights in League 1, a lot of fans can be abrupt and rude (after all they just want to get in the ground) but he was always friendly. RIP Kev.

[fearnowt]

It was Gateshead Thunder's first visit to the Racecourse in 2012 when Kev and Jim introduced themselves by singing and chanting continuously from the kick off for about half an hour, while we all listened. When they stopped, the 1,000 or so Cru fans just burst into applause, and at the end of the game every Thunder player shook their hands.

It was one of those unforgettable moments that helped to convince me that this is a sport worth watching. While I didn't get to know him personally, he will be fondly remembered.

Thoughts and best wishes go family and friends.

RIP

[FearNothing]

53 minutes ago, fearnowt said:

It was Gateshead Thunder's first visit to the Racecourse in 2012 when Kev and Jim introduced themselves by singing and chanting continuously from the kick off for about half an hour, while we all listened. When they stopped, the 1,000 or so Cru fans just burst into applause, and at the end of the game every Thunder player shook their hands.

It was one of those unforgettable moments that helped to convince me that this is a sport worth watching. While I didn't get to know him personally, he will be fondly remembered.

Thoughts and best wishes go family and friends.

RIP

That's the one I remembered on the match thread...pair of legends

[Ivarr the Boneless]

Sad news. I always enjoyed the Oxford / Gateshead matches, Kev was a big part of that. Condolences to his family and friends.

[Mark]

Met him many times watching Swinton, always a lovely man who had time for a good chat. Will be missed at our level by all supporters 

[Gooleboy]

A top supporter. RIP.

[Leyther_Matt]

A very familiar face, even going back to the early 2000s when the post-merger Gateshead club was in its infancy and I recall seeing him on plenty of occasions since

RIP Kev