Tributes paid to lifelong Chesterfield FC fan who died after battling cancer

Dave Allen passed away at his Renishaw home on August 30 surrounded by family. He was 68.

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Mr Allen, who started going to matches with his father more than 60 years ago, was a regular on the Compton Street ‘Pop Side’ Stand at Saltergate.

He became a shareholder when the club moved to the current Technique Stadium and his seat is on the Karen Child’s South Stand.

Paying tribute to her husband this week, Mr Allen’s wife Val, 67, said: “He was an absolutely wonderful man who will never be forgotten.

“He’d do anything for anybody.

“We’ll all miss him terribly – but we’ve got so many happy memories of him which will never go away.”

She added: “Dave absolutely adored the Spireites – he loved watching them play.

“I always joked that if you were to cut Dave then he’d bleed blue and white – that’s how big a fan he was.”

A spokesperson for Chesterfield FC said the club was ‘saddened’ to learn of Mr Allen’s death and passed on their condolences to his friends and family.

Mr Allen worked hard all his life, including as a railway track layer and a locomotive driver.

He leaves behind his wife, daughters Michelle and Louise and her wife Kat, and five grandchildren, Abi, Elise, George, Joel and Lewis.

Mr Allen’s funeral will take place at Chesterfield Crematorium at 2.10pm on September 15. Current coronavirus regulations mean those attending will have to listen from outside.

His family has asked those attending, and anyone else who remembers him, to donate to the Chesterfield FC Community Trust. This JustGiving page has been set up in his name and has already brought in nearly £150.

Commenting on the JustGiving page, Marion and Ian Wickison said: “RIP Dave. Gone but not forgotten. A lovely man with a big heart.”

Myra and Glenn Standell added: “Such a lovely man – what more can you say. Bless him.”

Mrs Allen said she and her family wanted to thank everybody for their kind words, support and donations since Mr Allen passed away.

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