RIP Bill Lyons (@Bill, previously @de niro) update re funeral pg 51/JustGiving link p52

[gordondaviesmoustache]

He once told GDM and me he was a rag until 1990…

1974.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

A random but endearing memory I have of Bill, but one typical of the man, is from one of the early European away days. Can’t remember where or when exactly, but it was somewhere cold.

Anyway, they had a big outdoor ice rink at a Christmas market that we’d been drinking at. After a few beers, Bill winked at me and donned a pair of ice skates. He clumsily entered the rink and proceeded to deck it a couple of times. I’ll be honest, I feared the worst for him and thought he’d lost his senses.

He started to draw a bit of a crowd, and a few local girls on the ice helped him to his feet and held his arms to prevent him from falling again.

He continued with them for about 30 seconds, before gesturing that he should be ok. As soon as they let go, he suddenly skated off quickly, pirouetting and twirling like Christopher fucking Dean, much to the amusement of everyone watching. Probably the most accomplished skater on the ice.

That was Bill. A truly loveable clown, who loved making people laugh. The world is a poorer place without him.

Beautiful post that, mate.

You’re so right about his ability to make people laugh.

 

[The Pink Panther]

A random but undearing memory I have of Bill, but one typical of the man, is from one of the early European away days. Can’t remember where or when exactly, but it was somewhere cold.

Anyway, they had a big outdoor ice rink at a Christmas market that we’d been drinking at. After a few beers, Bill winked at me and donned a pair of ice skates. He clumsily entered the rink and proceeded to deck it a couple of times. I’ll be honest, I feared the worst for him and thought he’d lost his senses.

He started to draw a bit of a crowd, and a few local girls on the ice helped him to his feet and held his arms to prevent him from falling again.

He continued with them for about 30 seconds, before gesturing that he should be ok. As soon as they let go, he suddenly skated off quickly, pirouetting and twirling like Christopher fucking Dean, much to the amusement of everyone watching. Probably the most accomplished skater on the ice.

That was Bill. A truly loveable clown, who loved making people laugh. The world is a poorer place without him.

Gelsenkirchen, the Shalke trip
Surprised you remember that Ric. You were proper shitfaced at game time

I was with him on the tram that was attacked after the match

 

[argyle]

Sad news.

R.I.P Bill.

 

[oakiecokie]

I got to know Bill when I was a rep calling on him at Firwood Carpets. He was not only a lovely guy but an absolute wind up merchant too.

He used to employ a young lad called Cameron and used to send him on all sorts of mad errands. One day I was visiting Bill and he told Cameron that he owned the hairdressers over the road from the shop and that they wouldn’t pay their rent til their windows were cleaned inside. He sent Cameron over with a bucket of soapy water and a sponge. The hairdressers was full of customers and in walked a 16 year old lad who said nothing and just started to clean the windows, soap and water going everywhere. Me and Bill sat over the road in the carpet shop in hysterics.

It was always a highlight when a visit to his shop was in the diary, it was less work and more pleasure to be honest. We’d just have a cuppa, a good chat about City and at the end do a bit of business. One thing was for sure, I always left with a grin on my face.

We did a few City games together, Barnsley away in pre season and a great trip to Barcelona to watch us in another pre season friendly at the Nou Camp.

I’ve not seen him for a good few years due to a change in job role but knew he’d been taken poorly. I’m just glad he got to see us win the lot.

RIP Bill, a true blue.

Loved that about Cameron and that was Bill at his best, bloody wumming bugger ... but what a top bloke. ;)

 

[Wheelsy]

A random but endearing memory I have of Bill, but one typical of the man, is from one of the early European away days. Can’t remember where or when exactly, but it was somewhere cold.

Anyway, they had a big outdoor ice rink at a Christmas market that we’d been drinking at. After a few beers, Bill winked at me and donned a pair of ice skates. He clumsily entered the rink and proceeded to deck it a couple of times. I’ll be honest, I feared the worst for him and thought he’d lost his senses.

He started to draw a bit of a crowd, and a few local girls on the ice helped him to his feet and held his arms to prevent him from falling again.

He continued with them for about 30 seconds, before gesturing that he should be ok. As soon as they let go, he suddenly skated off quickly, pirouetting and twirling like Christopher fucking Dean, much to the amusement of everyone watching. Probably the most accomplished skater on the ice.

That was Bill. A truly loveable clown, who loved making people laugh. The world is a poorer place without him.

Gelsenkirchen that, had to be

 

[pride in battle]

Awful news to hear he fought so valiantly even keeping his carpet shop going when most would of packed it in. Had some great European away trips with Bill before he was struck down by this debilitating illness.

Hopefully he is at peace now. It was a pleasure to know you Bill you were a gent.

View attachment 106548View attachment 106549

No one drinking #BottomPic ? :)

 

[Ric]

Can we do some sort of fundraiser pal, MND is horrible i would quite happily contribute to a fund in Bills memory.

Yes, that’s definitely something to consider. We had wanted to do a fundraiser for him after his diagnosis, but he was a proud man and quickly dismissed the idea. Something to help the battle against MND might be more appropriate though. Leave it with me, but if anyone wants to contribute or has any other ideas please PM me.

 

[Chris in London]

1974.

Sorry.

He once told 1974 and me he was a rag until 1990…

 

[Rascal]

Yes, that’s definitely something to consider. We had wanted to do a fundraiser for him after his diagnosis, but he was a proud man and quickly dismissed the idea. Something to help the battle against MND might be more appropriate though. Leave it with me, but if anyone wants to contribute or has any other ideas please PM me.

I get that pal. he was proud.

Can you keep us abreast of funeral arrangements please pal.