I saw a Flag in Seville which read:- John Steer 1955 to 2021 and I wondered if it was my old mate from Croydon Technical college. Sadly I have just discovered that it is.

John and I used to frequent the pubs and clubs of London together in the seventies. He was a great and loyal friend who joked and laughed a lot. We used to travel to away games by inter city long before the ICF was even heard of. We liked to go for the entire weekend and not just for the 90 minutes of the game. 

Back in 1972 I was surrounded by Birmingham supporters outside the Brummie ground. I thought I'd had my chips, alone with a big mob of opposing supporters about to give me a good pasting. Suddenly I saw John running towards us where he stood and fought by my side until the old bill finally arrived. Poor John received a severe battering and was taken, by ambulance, to hospital. I was lucky and escaped with a few bruises and had my long leather coat nicked. ( John and I bought one each in Petticoat lane).  I'll never forget that piece of bravery, it was literally 2 against 20 plus. Most men would have run in the opposite direction.

I regret that I lost contact with Johnny after I decided to trot around the world.

It's a sad day for me, sad to think of my dear friend suffering with cancer. Thanks John. You're one of a kind. My condolences to the Steer family.