Farewell to a true Blade

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What a touching and wonderful tribute to a gentleman Blade I didn’t know but whose passing I’m acknowledging this afternoon.
Football has a funny way of creating connection with people we don’t really know and losing a Blade is always sad news.
Rest peacefully Ian.
 
Thanks for sharing that. He clearly was an extraordinary character, and an example to us all in his determination to get the most out of life. RIP Blade.
 
I regularly used to see him power walking his way around Dronfield in his Blades shirt. I read this and realised I hadn't seen him for some time.

He was a sort of fixture that was always around, I didn't know him but most people round here would know of him.

Thankyou for the OP Jon, a very touching tribute.

A sad loss, RIP
 
What a true legend ! And a lovely eulogy.
I hope the club could honour his memory in some way too.
Be fantastic gesture if the club donated the money he spent on season tickets over the years when he couldn’t attend, to a charity close to him, or that supported him during that time.
RIP - a true blade taken too soon
 
Cheets said:
Did he live off Gainsborough Road? I think I knew him by sight. RIP Ian.
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Yes, that was where the family lived for many years.

His Mum, the last living there, died last year. His sister and younger twin brothers led the tributes today. They battled to do so through their grief. Their children wore United colours/shirts.
 
Jon B said:
Yes, that was where the family lived for many years.

His Mum, the last living there, died last year. His sister and younger twin brothers led the tributes today. They battled to do so through their grief. Their children wore United colours/shirts.
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In that case I know exactly who you mean. He was a very familiar face around Dronfield and going to and from SUFC matches for many years. May he rest in peace.
 
Sounds such a lovely special man.
He’ll be missed of course by his own family and friends, and the Blades family.One of us!
A fitting tribute to him. R I P Ian
 
Yet another Blade cheering us on from up above and another taken far too young.
RIP Ian
 

Jon B said:
This morning we said farewell at age 58 to Ian Smith, a true Blade, Red and White all the way through.

At the service at Dronfield Baptist Church, where Ian was a member, the Minister wore a United shirt from way back, one with "Blades" on the front (as that season I don't think we had a company shirt sponsor). In the congregation there was much red and white on display and various different United shirts.

Ian's coffin was, of course, red.

It was borne into church to the sound of "Annie's Song". During the service we sang the version that we sing at the start of United's games. Our song.

Ian had been a season ticket holder for 40 years or so, although for the past few years his health had stopped him attending. He had kept renewing his season ticket, determined that he would eventually leave Care Home/Hospital and return home and once again take his seat in the South Stand at his beloved Bramall Lane.

Sadly, this was not to be.

He suffered from severe ill health from birth. Epilepsy, lameness, and cerebral injury. Part of the way he combated his mobility problems was through as much walking as possible. He could regularly be seen walking in all parts of Dronfield.

Always wearing a Sheffield United shirt.

Ian never complained about his many ailments. He just got on and lived life as fully as possible. He was determined to find work and when he got his first job he was able to buy his first season ticket. He had a great memory and knowledge of facts especially to do with football and cricket.

Eventually Ian's epilepsy became so bad that he could no longer work. But he still walked round and round Dronfield and talked of United with all of us when we bumped into him.

In 2018 Ian's health significantly deteriorated and he had the misfortune of being in nursing home and hospital during the Covid Pandemic with family and friends unable to visit him.

He remained in nursing care after the Pandemic ended but wanted desperately to return to his own place.

On the day we played Man City I had been lent Ian's ticket and I was proud of United's display. But that same day Ian suffered a massive stroke and bleeding on the brain. He passed away a few days later.

Ian was a man of great heart, strength of character and integrity.

He always the shirt with pride.

And today in his honour, so did I.
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Sounds like a fantastic send off for a fellow Blade , I hope I have as many family and friends who will do the same for me.
RIP Ian
 
Always used to see him walking either to the game or afterwards usually around Woodseats whatever the weather, he must have walked some miles following United over the years. I knew his brothers who were twins as they used to go to the same school as me in Dronfield but were a year younger so my thoughts go out to them and his family.
 
Jon B said:
This morning we said farewell at age 58 to Ian Smith, a true Blade, Red and White all the way through.

At the service at Dronfield Baptist Church, where Ian was a member, the Minister wore a United shirt from way back, one with "Blades" on the front (as that season I don't think we had a company shirt sponsor). In the congregation there was much red and white on display and various different United shirts.

Ian's coffin was, of course, red.

It was borne into church to the sound of "Annie's Song". During the service we sang the version that we sing at the start of United's games. Our song.

Ian had been a season ticket holder for 40 years or so, although for the past few years his health had stopped him attending. He had kept renewing his season ticket, determined that he would eventually leave Care Home/Hospital and return home and once again take his seat in the South Stand at his beloved Bramall Lane.

Sadly, this was not to be.

He suffered from severe ill health from birth. Epilepsy, lameness, and cerebral injury. Part of the way he combated his mobility problems was through as much walking as possible. He could regularly be seen walking in all parts of Dronfield.

Always wearing a Sheffield United shirt.

Ian never complained about his many ailments. He just got on and lived life as fully as possible. He was determined to find work and when he got his first job he was able to buy his first season ticket. He had a great memory and knowledge of facts especially to do with football and cricket.

Eventually Ian's epilepsy became so bad that he could no longer work. But he still walked round and round Dronfield and talked of United with all of us when we bumped into him.

In 2018 Ian's health significantly deteriorated and he had the misfortune of being in nursing home and hospital during the Covid Pandemic with family and friends unable to visit him.

He remained in nursing care after the Pandemic ended but wanted desperately to return to his own place.

On the day we played Man City I had been lent Ian's ticket and I was proud of United's display. But that same day Ian suffered a massive stroke and bleeding on the brain. He passed away a few days later.

Ian was a man of great heart, strength of character and integrity.

He always the shirt with pride.

And today in his honour, so did I.
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OMG , I used to see this guy regularly I think, walking around Dronfield , did he used to go into the Building society in the civic centre , and live with his Mum , must be the same guy , dark hair and ALWAYS wearing a Blades shirt , you could ask him any score line and crowd attendance form any match from any year and he knew it !! If it was this guy, The Blades were his life ! RIP TRUE BLADE
 
Jon B said:
This morning we said farewell at age 58 to Ian Smith, a true Blade, Red and White all the way through.

At the service at Dronfield Baptist Church, where Ian was a member, the Minister wore a United shirt from way back, one with "Blades" on the front (as that season I don't think we had a company shirt sponsor). In the congregation there was much red and white on display and various different United shirts.

Ian's coffin was, of course, red.

It was borne into church to the sound of "Annie's Song". During the service we sang the version that we sing at the start of United's games. Our song.

Ian had been a season ticket holder for 40 years or so, although for the past few years his health had stopped him attending. He had kept renewing his season ticket, determined that he would eventually leave Care Home/Hospital and return home and once again take his seat in the South Stand at his beloved Bramall Lane.

Sadly, this was not to be.

He suffered from severe ill health from birth. Epilepsy, lameness, and cerebral injury. Part of the way he combated his mobility problems was through as much walking as possible. He could regularly be seen walking in all parts of Dronfield.

Always wearing a Sheffield United shirt.

Ian never complained about his many ailments. He just got on and lived life as fully as possible. He was determined to find work and when he got his first job he was able to buy his first season ticket. He had a great memory and knowledge of facts especially to do with football and cricket.

Eventually Ian's epilepsy became so bad that he could no longer work. But he still walked round and round Dronfield and talked of United with all of us when we bumped into him.

In 2018 Ian's health significantly deteriorated and he had the misfortune of being in nursing home and hospital during the Covid Pandemic with family and friends unable to visit him.

He remained in nursing care after the Pandemic ended but wanted desperately to return to his own place.

On the day we played Man City I had been lent Ian's ticket and I was proud of United's display. But that same day Ian suffered a massive stroke and bleeding on the brain. He passed away a few days later.

Ian was a man of great heart, strength of character and integrity.

He always the shirt with pride.

And today in his honour, so did I.
Click to expand...
Eloquently put mate,sounds quite a guy bless him.🙏
Brought a lump to my throat and reminds us all how lucky we are to be United by common experiences,being part of a broader family and able to share these moments here.
RIP Ian🙏.
 
A fantastic tribute my friend, and a equally fantastic attitude to have, when faced with so many health problems. Farewell fellow Blade. ⚔ IAN ⚔
 

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