To everybody who knew Jonny, and especially his family, my heartfelt condolences. Please take what I'm about put in the manner it is meant - a tribute to Jonny -and not a slur. I've posted before on threads about social media content and fans involvement. As I've said before I don't get it. I really don't understand this world where everybody wants to be a 'pseudo celebrity'. HOWEVER, now that I've watched some of Jonny's stuff in depth (I'd only ever taken a cursory glance at it a few times previously, seeing it as another 'wannabee' type thing) it is obvious he was entirely the opposite of the this.
You can see in his material that he loved doing what he did - he wasn't in this to say 'hey folks look at me, aren't I great, aren't I a really cool knowledgeable guy, wooooh what fun I have. He was doing it because it was 'his thing', he wasn't a follower, he was an innovative pioneer. He came across as the type of bloke who would have fitted like a hand in glove with me and my mates at matches. A whacky, funny, moody, crazy, FANTASTIC person.
I can't even imagine what must have been going on in his head with his personal daemons - we all have them of course, definitely me included - but the poor bloke must have been having a nightmare. I also can't imagine what his close family are going through - as Kev says on SUW - no parent should be burying a child. It's heartbreaking.
So let me leave this with ........... Jonny, you were fuckin fantastic. You were the real deal mate. You were so talented and it's a tragedy for you and your family that you never got the breaks to fulfil your true potential. RIP Blademan