Steve S

The 24th September marks the 10th anniversary of Steve's death. I am sure there are one or two long standing members of this forum who remember him and his brave fight against cancer which he recorded for posterity. His widow Deirdre and son Tim always attend what we call a memorial game each season to remember Steve. We will be at Oakwell for the Reading game on Saturday. It is hard to believe that 10 years have passed.

I would also like to report the death of another Darfielder and Old Wathonian, John "the stitcher" Markham. He had a long standing leather business in Thame. He was accompanied to the Crematorium in Oxford by a guard of honour from the Oxfoed chapter of Hells Angels. Not many get that. He died on 21 August in Oxford again after a battle with cancer. He was an old school mate of Steve and mine. One or two of you may remember him. He still has family in Darfield. His dad worked at the Valley, Darfield Main.

RIP John.

 

Astonishing to think it's ten years since Steve's passing. He will always have a special place in the hearts of my family & I. He and Laura, especially, built up a relationship through their correspondence.
Sleep well, Steve. You'll never be forgotten.

 

10 years. What the heck!!!!

RIP Steve, it was a hell of a story you told.

 

The 10 years have flown by but it has not diminished the memories of Steve S, from communications both on the Forum and in person. Great bloke and one with real character, as he fondly recalled being told by one of the hospital staff who treated him.

 

As in Wath Grammar School?

If so, what years were you there mate? I was there from 1967 to 1974 the same year as Ian McMillan.

Can't say that I remember anyone called John Markham.

 

Yes as in Wath Grammar School. Steve Scargill, John Markham and I were there from 1963 to 1970. Steve and John (nickname Os as in horse) travelled from Darfield on the Hargreaves bus. I travelled from Wombwell.

 

Hi mate, nice to virtually meet you. I'm Brian Armstrong, my mates were Gordon Seward, Steve Stewardson and Phil Porter. Phil lived in Wath but me, Steve and Gordon lived in Bolton, Goldthorpe and Thurnscoe respectively so we travelled on the same bus. Ian McMillan was in my year but I never really knew him and I never really got to know anyone from outside my year apart from a few of my sister Carole's friends, did you know the Dragovics (2 years above me)?

Fortunately all of my mates are still with us although I only ever see Steve (works at the steel plant in Scunny) these days. We usually meet up for home games.

Commiserations for your loss.

 

I never met Steve, but did have a little dialogue with him through this board during the time of his treatment. My thoughts and prayers for Deidre and Tim.

 

Hi Brian,

My name is Keith Goldsby-West. I do not recall you or your mates although as you say you do not really associate with more that one year up or down at school.
I do recall Ian and Danny Dragovics. They were both very good at rugby and I believe that Ian played for many years. I am still in touch with about Seven or eight from school. Social media has done a lot in that respect. I had not seen John Markham for over forty years prior to 2 years ago even though we lived with 12 miles of each other.

The son of one of my school mates ARK v104 posts regularly on here. his Dad still lives in Wath.

I read one of Ian McMilan's books. "Nowt or Summat" earlier this year he names drops Messrs Dunsby and Billington (the history one) in it. Another book I would recommend to you which is set in the Dearne towns is "TheValley" by Richard Benson. If you have not already done so you should read it.

The only other boy I remember from the Dearne towns is a lad called John (I think) Dainty we were in the same form in the 2nd year.

I do not post on here that much and when I do I tend not to be too serious as I am that kind of person. I do recall my time at WGS with affection although you tend to gloss over the tedium and can afford to laugh at your misdemeanours from this far distant.

It is good to make contact with you.

 

Hi Brian,

My name is Keith Goldsby-West. I do not recall you or your mates although as you say you do not really associate with more that one year up or down at school.
I do recall Ian and Danny Dragovics. They were both very good at rugby and I believe that Ian played for many years. I am still in touch with about Seven or eight from school. Social media has done a lot in that respect. I had not seen John Markham for over forty years prior to 2 years ago even though we lived with 12 miles of each other.

The son of one of my school mates ARK v104 posts regularly on here. his Dad still lives in Wath.

I read one of Ian McMilan's books. "Nowt or Summat" earlier this year he names drops Messrs Dunsby and Billington (the history one) in it. Another book I would recommend to you which is set in the Dearne towns is "TheValley" by Richard Benson. If you have not already done so you should read it.

The only other boy I remember from the Dearne towns is a lad called John (I think) Dainty we were in the same form in the 2nd year.

I do not post on here that much and when I do I tend not to be too serious as I am that kind of person. I do recall my time at WGS with affection although you tend to gloss over the tedium and can afford to laugh at your misdemeanours from this far distant.

It is good to make contact with you.

 

You too mate.

I was more of a scientist and only came across Billy Whizz on a few occasions, but Billy Phys was a right character, I remember following him down the science block corridor as he attempted to walk a perfect sine-wave, alternately brushing the left and right-hand walls with his shoulders.... Mental.

Other teachers that stand out in my memory were the French teacher Mr Gilligan and maths teacher Flemming-Smith (former olympic runner I seem to recall). Oh and the games teacher Eddie something who was the most short-sighted person I've ever known.

 

Didn't know him personally but I do remember Steve's posts at the time. Can't believe it's 10 years since he died. RIP to Steve and John.

 

RIP Steve & John may you find peace at last cant believe it 10 year since steve gained his wings and John Markham I might know the family im valley born n bred

 

Eddie something is I believe Eddie Fisher. Now I too went to WGS and yes some of the names in this thread are familiar, although I have to admit to being a 'young un' in that I left WGS in 1977 after fluking 2 A levels. The sports dept , Messers Fisher & Staves, I believe, did at least give me an insight into Rugby Union which to this day does engage my sporting curiosity - I was far too much of a wimp to actually play the game!

 

RIP Steve, 10 years blimey, he was a great bloke, brave and his blogs were inspirational, he took all the crap the Cancer threw at him with absolute dignity, I did meet him and have met his widow and son at one of the memorial games..........great bloke

 

Yes that was them. Eddie Fisher was almost blind.

Happy days, except when they made us do a cross country up round Abdy Farm....

 

..................and this fat lad from concrete canyon in Bolton dint know weir he were going............

frivolities aside I don't think I was aware of this Steve S - but just from what I've gleaned from this thread he seems special......... like so many from these parts. I feel humbled.

 

We lived on the Ringway estate just across the road from the cemetery.