A BARNSLEY FC fan who travelled to London every year to tend to the grave of the man credited with founding the football club has died.
Gareth Lovett, 49, was one of the dedicated fans who made the annual pilgrimage to the grave of the Rev Tiverton Preedy.
Known by many as Gaz, he was also the founder of Eyup & Down Barnsley FC fanzine and a lifelong fan of the club, he travelled to nearly all away matches with the Manx Red supporters.
His brother Matthew Lovett, said: “Gareth was a very well-known individual, the huge outpouring of grief from so many people has been quite remarkable and so many people are saddened by the news, he’ll be sorely missed.”
Gaz had a big heart, and often helped raise a lot of money for various different charities.
Matthew added: “He was one of the people that travelled to London every year to attend to Reverend Preedy’s grave, they would go to the cemetery in North London and make sure the founder of Barnsley Football Club’s grave was looking its best.”
Gaz’s life revolved around Barnsley Football Club, with his family also being involved.
Matthew said: “Gareth’s partner, Lyndsey, is a huge Barnsley fan who runs the Manx pub, and his son, Harry is a huge fan, too.”
Gaz founded the fanzine after having been involved with the previous Barnsley Football Club fanzine - West Stand Bogs, and when that one came to an end, he decided to create a fanzine himself.
Matthew added: “Gareth was also a regular guest on the BFC YouTube channel, Tykes TV, he was involved in some of the heritage projects at Oakwell, and he used to write the matchday programme.”
