Ken Dixon, R.I.P.greenspun.com : LUSENET : Unofficial Newcastle United Football Club BBS : One Thread |
I have very bad news.
Ken Dixon (ITK) died of a heart attack yesterday (Friday).
His wife asked me to put this message on the BBS as it meant a lot to Ken.
Her phone number is 01895 270660 - she gave permission for this number to be broadcast to members of the BBS
The funeral date is not yet finalised.
We shall miss him.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
William, please pass on my thoughts at this sad time to Mrs Dixon and family, I am so sad
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I'm stunned. We've lost a great friend and I am personally very sorry that I never had the chance to meet him. My thouhgts and prayers are with his family and friends.RIP ITK. You will be missed.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Absolutely devastated. I have very fond memories of Ken, met him at Evergreens earlier this year. God Bless you Ken Dixon.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I'm shocked and stunned!I only met Ken once at the Leicester away game this season and he seemed a really decent bloke.
My thoughts and comiserations go to his family for their loss.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Truly shocking news. I didn't know Ken and never met him, but his postings were one of the reasons I was first attracted to this BBS. He helped provide a link of friendship to Geordies around the world, for which many are grateful. RIP.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I am very sorry to hear the sad news. My sincere condolences to his family. I think we all very much appreciated Ken's contributions to the match threads, especially the times when the webcasts broke down and he could describe the action from his monitor. Let's hope the lads score a bucket full for Ken today.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Very sad news. I enjoyed reading his posts and his contributions will be missed. Sympathies to his family - and to those of you who knew him prsonally.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I don`t know what to say. I am so very sad to hear this news, and completely shocked. My heart goes out to Ken`s wife and family - they must be devastated. God bless you Ken - you will be missed.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I have never met Ken, I have spent several hours "talking" to him. I have sent him several videos from here.I have enjoyed his posts and the Dailytoon stuff. We have also corresponded privately also. I am not ashamed to say I am sitting hear with tears streaming down my face. I do not know if it will help, but I hope someone can get all these messages to Mrs ITK.
I will sadly miss Ken.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I'm gutted, he was a gem of a bloke (+ a 100%++ Geordie and Toon supporter). I haven't posted for a few days, this really puts (unfortunately!) all the other bull into perspective.R.I.P. mate and deepest condolences to his family.
Fond memories.
Your bud, Bud.
P.S. may I suggest that someone (Macbeth?) collect our (BBS) words and somehow pass them on to the Dixon family? I'm an 'exile', as you know, so I couldn't possibly make the funeral (I've just been over for my own mother's) but, I'd like to send a telegram / card to the family - for that I'd need an address?
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Omg, that's really sad news. Send my best wishes to his family. Good bye ITK.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Never had the pleasure of meeting him in person but as with all bbs'rs I felt I knew him.Terribly sad.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Bud, address in your emailgus
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Gus can you send to me also/ Buff
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Gus,Can you send it to me aswell please?
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Done for both.Anyone else let me know and I will forward.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Ken was only in his mid 40's & leaves behind a Wife and 2 daughters in their early teens. He is the youngest of 3 brothers.I'll make sure everyone's kind comments are passed onto the family.
A great loss. Everyone is in shock.
Ken always enthused about the network that had built up around this BBS and the LondonMags list. It's clear how true this is and its very touching to see the high regard in which he was held.
If anyone would like to send a card - mail me privately and I'll provide the address. Otherwise - I'll pass on any messages that are posted here to the family.
Alec (Ken's cousin)
(Use alec.gardner@businessobjects.com to mail me)
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I think we should retire "handles" from use when this kind of thing happens, ITK was a respected member of this forum and we should honour him as such.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Macbeth, is there anyway you can re-title this thread, "Ken Dixon, R.I.P."; I've no doubt this thread will be inundated with postings, once the lads 'n lasses get back from their post-match celebrations?A. Wright-Pratt? I used that monicker when I had a famous / infamous online 'fight' with Ken, about 2 years ago! We'll miss the "oxymoron"!
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
gus, thanks for the email:As a fellow 'exile' you know how it feels to be away from hyem, ITK always kept in touch with us and his efforts to "spread the word" via THE book, were commendable.
Where's the book now, with you Kegsy, it must get back to Ken's family but, I'd wish to sign it first, albeit being way too late?
Apologies folks, I felt obligated to copy my posting to here, from the Villa match thread.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
A great loss. I never met Ken yet, as in many other cases I felt I knew him. My feelings are with his family at this sad time.This BBS will miss him and his humourous contributions.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I've just got home from SJP, feeling good after a rousing finale to an awful season. I sign on to post some thoughts, see the thread title, and sense something wrong.I'm just devastated: don't know what to say. Difficult to accept.
Although Ken was one of the Heaton Lads, he was younger than me: I never met him, and yet he is a close friend. Nice bloke; wicked sense of humour; how tragic. He will be badly missed, here and elsewhere.
Rest In Peace, Ken. Forever a Geordie lad.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I echo the thoughts of those who never met Ken. Felt I knew him through this BBS. Shocking news after such a good day, with a game that he would have loved.God bless.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Same hear clarky, I've just got back too, was gonna post a match report. but doesn't really seem important now. I'm very saddened to hear the news about Ken, my sincere condolences to his friends and family.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I never had the chance to meet ITK but greatly enjoyed both his postings here and and on his own web-site. Rest in peace Ken. You'll be missed.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Only met him in person once - Villa away last year - he was a great guy.Ken you'll be missed.
Josh
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I'm sitting here in a daze thinking about Ken, and his wife and young family. Can't get him out of my thoughts.
Thought I'd check and see when he last posted as part of our little community.I hope you don't feel it ghoulish or inappropriate to repost it here, but I find his last post terribly poigant, so full of optimism. In many respects his last post is so very typical of the man we came to know so well.
It was posted on Tuesday past (May 14th).Hey Bobby!!!!!!!! don't fear, the first interview I had for the job I recently got (if that makes sense) was the first I had done outside the BBC for over 20 years. Then after the second interview I came out of the building and thought ah well, it might have been nice to work here, but I blew that one...I started the job yesterday morning!.
God, I'll miss my late night "conversations" with me marra Ken.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Like everyone I'm stunned and saddened by this terrible news. My thoughts go out to his wife and family. RIP Ken, you will be missed.(Gus, can you send on the address)
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I'm just back from today's match at SJP. I heard the very sad news as I waited at the bar in the Strawberry. To say I was shocked is an understatement. A lot of fine words have been said on here about Ken - all of which I endorse. Ken was one in a million and will be sadly missed.I was lucky to meet Ken a number of times, the first of which was the same match as Josh when a number of us met up at Villa Park. That Ken should die when our opponents were again Aston Villa, brings a sad symmetry to our friendship. At the time, I thought that match was marked by the first away win of an awful season. On reflection, that was a mere co-incidence. In reality, it marked the beginning of a cyber-friendship which will last forever.
Due to circumstances which I can easily identify with, Ken couldn't get to as many matches as some of us - tho' he did make it to the Strawberry when he was in Toon. But that didn't detract from his love of the Toon. On many occasions, I would receive a text message minutes before the match was due to start, asking me to keep him updated on any scores. Even when "out shopping", Ken's heart lay with the Toon. Maybe he can return the compliment now!
As has been commented, Ken had a wicked sense of humour, which I could easily identify with. He also had a "sense of Toon". He combined both with the mischeivous words of Stew Canel on the RTG website. Despite the anymosity, I hope that his passing will also be marked there with equal sadness - certainly, IMHO, it was more from his wicked sense of humour than anything else.
I can't leave these few words about our friend without commenting on what was the last time we met - all too long ago. Last summer, a few of us met up for a game of football in Regent's Park. This was the first indication I had that Ken wasn't too well (despite working for a well known Corporation, he didn't broadcast it!). There are a few days in our lives that we will never forget. That was one of them and no small part was due to Ken Dixon. For that, and many other memories, I thank God for Ken Dixon. Our thoughts are with Ken's family at this awful time.
RIP.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Words cannot express how stunned and shocked I was when I received the sad news of Ken’s death.I had the pleasure or meeting Ken on a few occasions both in the North East and at away matches. I also had a number of long conversations with him, on the BBS, the Strawberry and on e-mail.
The saying goes “Those who the Gods Love Die Young”. I believe that in Ken’s case this is true. He was a lovely man and a person I thought of as a friend. I will miss him dearly.
Ken was a true Newcastle United Fan who’s support of the toon never wavered despite some very poor performances and lean years. I like to think that Ken would have been smiling down on the game today and the lads played a fitting tribute to him.
My thoughts and condolences are with his family.
Jan
Kats has also asked me to pass on her condolences to his family.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I never met Ken yet I felt I knew him. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.A canny lad
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I never met Ken, but felt I knew him so well through his wonderful postings on this BBS. Like everyone I am totally shocked and very, very sad. God Bless Ken and his family.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Received the news in the Strawberry after today's game. Stunned and devastated. I just met him a couple of times - lovely guy, will be missed. My condolences to all his family - I share my name with his daughter.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I, too, am absolutely stunned. Just logged on to read all about our win today and catch up on the latest having been offline all day. This is so unexpected. I never met him in person, but had also corresponded with him and also very grateful for his 'eyewitness' reports when he was with BBC. Here he was just starting out on the next phase in his life. It seems so cruel, somehow. Also a reminder to us all to enjoy life to the fullest, as Ken seemed to do. I just don't know what to say, other than to add my deepest condolences to his family.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Got the news from Gav earlier but have only just got back to the pc. It was always a pleasure to see Ken on London matchdays or at Evergreens/out west. I remember a mid-week game against Derby on Sky a couple of seasons back when I went to the George IV in Chiswick and Ken was the only other Mag to turn up. I'm still grateful to him for that...!
This is awful, awful news. Rest assured the London bbsers will drink to Ken's memory the next time we meet up.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Please pass on my condolences to his family. My thoughts and prayers are with them.Along with everyone else, I have fond memories of match days and non- match days with Ken and we've lost one of our own. A cracking and wicked sense of humour and we'll truly miss him.
Rest in Peace, bonny lad. We won't forget you.
Graeme
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
Bugger Bugger Bugger, (sorry Mrs Dixon). Well it is the cold light of the day here in West OZ.I really was hoping that the thread was wrong.
I am sorry I am not in the position to fly home for the funeral. I would like to pay my respects in person. Every time I come on here my eyes well up and the tears start.
I have sent messages to those who asked for Kens address. Anyone else please send details on my gallowgate account or to sueme@bekkers.com.au I will reply to every one. I am going to stay away from here for 1 week. I will not post or reply until Monday 28th.
To those of you not related to Ken, whether you met him or not, I cannot say remember the good times, because there were no bad times with him.
To his family, in your sadness feel proud, Ken has made friends throughout the world who will raise a glass and shed a tear to his memory. We are all proud to have been his friend and to have let him be part of our lives.
-- Anonymous, May 19, 2001
I am very sorry to hear this very very sad news. My sincere condolences to his family. I will miss him and his postings greatly. Although we never met. A very sad day.
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
I didn't always see eye to eye with our Ken, but I'd give an awful lot to be able to argue with him now. Perspective comes in buckets. Miss you, mate.John
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
Shocked and stunned, my deepest thoughts go to his wife and daughters.
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
Very, very sad to hear this news. I may not post here often but I read here most days and I always enjoyed his posts. My deepest sympathy to the Dixon family.ITK, R.I.P
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
Only just been able to get to a machine, i've been hoping since I heard the news yesterday afternoon that it was a mistake.....it's just so difficult to believe that someone as full of life as Ken is gone......I've met Ken on a number of occasions and always had fun with him, as has been said by others his sense of humour was outstanding and he never failed to make me laugh.
I'll miss you mate......truly.....my deepest condolences to his family and other friends.
Regards, Gav
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
I've only just logged in having been out last night. Very sad.Back in 1996 in the middle of when we should have won the league was the Dunblane massacre. Ben was in the same school year and the guy who did it had equeal grudges in Dunfermline as he did in Dunblane, I was so conscious it could have been Canmore Primary P1 rather than Dunblane. The football which had seemed so important didn't matter. I never felt like crying when we lost to Liverpool as it didn't really matter.
I was on a reasonable high coming on here today, ready to tell of the joys of yesterday afternoon. But again it really doesn't matter anymore.
For me Ken will always be Stew Canel on the RTG board. For a while before I was banned we had much fun, with each other, and with their moronic posters whose level we readily sank to in an effort to get a wee chuckle.
RTG had a method of banning which involved putting a cookie on the PC which posted an offensive message. Ken had access to all the PCs the BBC could muster and just moved around the offices posting from more and more with them never quite catching up with him. Finally their answer was to ban a whole group of IP addresses, thereby taking out all the machines he had access to. This would have worked fine except it took out the whole of the BBC, including the north east. There was uproar from the makems at BBC Newcastle who couldn't any longer get in. Ken was particularly amused when RTG had to give in and undo their blockings. He had won one over on the 'dark forces'.
He's added a lot to this bbs and he'll be missed. Thoughts with his wife and family.
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
rest in peace ken/stew etc etc.
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
A few recent postings showing the flavour of the man:Chat Up lines: Said while dancing: Me: "Do you believe in the here after" Her: "What do you mean" Me: "Well if your here after what I'm here after, why are we still standing here" Tried a couple of times in the early 70's, like Clarky, once at the Oxford Galleries and again at the Mayfair....one sh@g in a darkened booth - one knee in the crutch.... Answered by 80) ITK (jestab73@hotmail.com) on May 14, 2001.
Douglas Adams: He will be greatly missed but I reckon it was his ability to leave people always wanting more of his work that made him so brilliant. Heart attack and only 49 years old......yet another one who drops while 'working out in the gym' - I tell you, this exercise malarky is well over-rated. I very briefly worked on the set design for Hitch-hikers back in the early eighties and my abiding memory of it was, having never read the book or listened, at that time, to the radio series, (I've now done both) I thought I would do a rapid bone up by reading the script on the tube going up the south-bank one night.....it is the only script I have ever looked at like that and have actually laughed out loud....most of them, because of the way they are fragmented don't always read to well, but this was brilliant and I was hooked. RIP old son, such is the power of Hitch-hikers that the name Ford Prefect reminds me more of the programme/book than the car! Answered by 80) ITK (jestab73@hotmail.com) on May 13, 2001.
Following Newcastle and Sunderland: I can honestly state hand on
arseheart that I have never been, nor had a desire to go to either Joker Park or Le Stade de Merde.....even for a Makem/Toon match. When they luckily won the cup in '73, a couple of the blokes I worked and drank with went to the dirt heap to watch them bring the cup back......I got pissed in the Newton Park instead. Round about that time, on a Friday and Saturday night a group of us used to go to Greys Club in the Toon. One Saturday night in December '73 Bobby Kerr and Ian Porterfield came into the club and were lauding it big round the basement disco bar....I'll tell you they didn't 'arf get narked when I asked them who they were.....faces were a picture. Answered by 80) ITK (jestab73@hotmail.com) on May 10, 2001.E-mails and being in love with Tony Blair: "There is no intention whatsoever of randomly intercepting people's emails," Nah they don't want to do it randomly, they want to develop a system that can intercept, scan and read EVERY E-Mail message sent. The Sedgefield Shiteface hates the fact that he can't hold back people's opinions on the web and that people can say what they want without being controlled. Bastard! Answered by 80) ITK (jestab73@hotmail.com) on April 18, 2001.
Dead bliddy right Screacher I wouldn't........vote for that.....sanctimonious twat.......even if I had........a kalashnikov(sp).......held to my head........I just wish......he wouldn't keep saying.....that he is.......a Newcastle supporter Answered by 80) ITK (jestab73@hotmail.com on April 18, 2001.
Name changing fun: Mine came back as: K.E.N.: Killing and Exploration Neohuman I.T.K.: Individual Trained for Killing There seems to be an rather uncommon and unlikely violent streak in these names.......and if anyone argues I'll punch your lights out. 80) Answered by 80) ITK (jestab73@hotmail.com) on April 17, 2001.
R.I.K: = Transforming Organism Skilled in Sabotage and Efficient Repair Answered by 80) ITK (jestab73@hotmail.com) on April 17, 2001.
Darren Clarke: Some few years back, I was caddying for a mate of mine in what was then called the Wang Four Stars Pro-Celeb at Moor Park GC and on the Saturday we were drawn to play with the Australian golfer Roger Davis and against Darren Clark and Bernie Winters. DC was being nowty to the caddy all the way round the course then, and when we were walking down the the fourteenth he suddenly turned to his caddy and said......"if you don't get it f***ing right this time, I'll carry the f***ing clubs myself and you can p*** off" You could tell by this point that the caddy had just about had enough and when DC hit the ball straight plum bang onto the green the caddy called out, "great shot boss, now lets see you finish it without any clubs" and he went to the edge of the fairway, pitched the clubs into the River Pinn and just strode off the course never to be seen again. As they had also heard some of the stuff that was going on previously the entire watching gallery gave him a massive round of applause as he walked off into the sunset. Class revenge or what! Answered by 80) ITK (jestab73@hotmail.com) on April 09, 2001.
David Rocastle: Gal, I think Softie is refering to the fact that on MOTD Motson waffled on and on for what seemed an eternity when the silence was being observed in the ground. It sounded absolutley awful, but if it is any consolation he wouldn't have done it during the actual silence, it would have been recorded after the match and laid on top of the pictures. Terrible thing to have happened, he was only diagnosed in February and died by the end of March.....so quick. My sister-in-law had/has the same Non-hodgkins lymphona but she seems to be getting through it and is back to work after about nine months or so off sick. It makes you look at your own mortality when people younger than you die like that doesn't it. Live life for now.....RIP Rocky, sleep well. Answered by 80) ITK (jestab73@hotmail.com) on April 01, 2001.
Evergreens: This may well have been discussed on this forum while I was unable to log on, but can I ask eveyone, and particularly those London Mags among us to observe a minute silence to mark the passing and demise of that favourite Central London watering hole EVERGREENS Apparently the 'owners' have 'retired' to Fulham/Chelsea/Earls Court or some other such west London area, and they had a massive closing down party around the England/Finland game last weekend and they shut the doors late on Saturday night never to be opened again 80( What on earth will SBA do NOW! Personally I've only attended the place a couple of times, the last being for the abandoned Southampton game, when Bobby and I went over there to meet Pete (who wasn't) in Canada and his two jock mates, (and later Danorama) but it was a good laugh, and a great place to watch the match with so many big screens. The Londonmags E Mail list are currently on the look out for another suitable watering hole, but it only remains to say......... R.I.P. - EVERGREENS Asked by 80) ITK (jestab73@hotmail.com) on March 30, 2001.
Being unemployed : Its great fun at the minute......by the end of my first week of freedom I'll have made four hospital visits to two hospitals fifteen miles apart, one for a skin problem and one for a trapped cyatic(sp) nerve and trapped cluster nerve surrounding it.....two of the visits are on the same afternoon, Friday - 12.30 (St Thomas' in Westminter) for sun light treatment and then the tube back round here to be at Hillingdon Hospital physiotherapy by 3.30 to be 'strectched' on the rack and heat treament to try and free the nerve. Ah well, back to getting the setting sorted out on this PC. Answered by 80) ITK (jestab73@hotmail.com on March 21, 2001.
Bloody PCs: I have never done a back up in my bliddy life, The helpline were able to get me into a 'soft start-up' so that I could access one directory and back up my most important stuff (my CV and job applications I have sent out recently) and I was able to get them onto floppy, but when I tried to get some of the other stuff onto disc, I realised that all my floppy discs were formatted to my olkd friggin Atari and were bliddy useless (at that point) So primarily I have lost everything. It wasn't much as far as work stuff etc is concerned, but I will also have lost all my internet settings, including access to the DT admin site and also my E Mail address book. Once I get it back up and running, I'll be pesterng you all for your mobile numbers, sepoerate E mail address' from the board ones, and address' etc. What kind of dipstick am I! Answered by ITK 80) (jestab73@hotmail.com) on March 12, 2001.
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
You won't be surprisd to know that I never met Ken. However I always thought that I would like him if I ever did meet him - pity I never told him that when he was alive. His hatred of mackems and desire to wind mackems up was a mirror of my felings towards mags as a group - individual mags I have always been able to empathise with and get on very well with, I feel certain Ken would have fallen into that category. He might have laughed at the irony of my first ever posting on this board (after being here from the start in its current home) being to say something nice about him!It is a pity Macbeth uses such a time to trot out his own personal grudge against RTG. A lot of Ken's postings and behaviour on RTG went a long way beyond what most people would regard as acceptable intra- NE abuse. I always hoped he would reign that in a bit because, at his best, he could be very funny. I would ask you not to take offence at my saying that - it was what I believed when he was alive, I would not want to pretend something else now he is dead.
For you it is sad to lose an actual, or cyber, friend. For his wife and children it is a real tragedy and I feel for them. Every day millions of people we don't know lose their husbands and fathers. It is a credit to the human spirit that we all attempt to empathise with spcific indiduals' loss.
FTM Stew - I know you wouldn't want me to finish in any other way.
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
Herts,Thanks for your comments, I hoped you'd come on. My RTG comments aren't aimed as a dig at anyone but to highlight to people how much fun he got from going on there and trying to wind people up. He did often go too far, he saw it in much the same way as you do, I think he also recognised a kindred spirit in you. I'm sure you would have been great to watch in the pub together !!
In much the same way as Rangers and Celtic fans have collectively mourned the passing of Baxter and Murdoch, we all need a reminder it's only a game, just wish it wasn't like this.
Thanks again.
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
Rest in peace, Ken.
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
Macbeth I'm glad you answered Herts coz I was gonna have a go as well. Good answer.I only knew Stew Canel and he could be a right infuriating bugger and OTT on more than one occasion (as I can be)... but we did have one of ten very good "board" chats...
very sad...
puts it all in perspective - "Stew" will be missed....
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
Tragic news.RIP Ken.
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
Sad to hear the news.RIP Ken
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
Ken was a big honest opinionated warm and witty Geordie. I met him a few times, mainly at the POW in Hillingdon where with Andy and Rob we celebrated some famous Toon victories.
We send our deepest sympathy to his wife and family.
Ann and Bill.
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
I've just got back from TGC after watching the last game of the season. The news was given to us in The Strawberry and was a terrible shock.I met Ken at a number of games and liked him a lot. Warm hearted, and a great sense of humour. I recall playing football with him at Regent's Park as well. It was a fun day. My abiding memory of that day (apart from Screacher's awesome scoring prowess) was Ken giving up chasing after a ball, placing hands on knees, heaving for breath (as we all were) and looking up said "I could have caught that but I want to live a little longer". It was hugely funny at the time and terribly ironic now of course.
I feel for his family. It is terrible to lose a loved one so suddenly. There is always unfinished business, things left unsaid, no chance to say goodbye, etc. I wish them all the best through this terrible time. He was a lovely man, which makes the loss all the greater.Thanks Ken for a lot of laughs, for your enthusiasm for the Toon and for your contributions to this forum where you will be sorely missed. Oh, and BTW, if you can manage to get the ear of the Great Referee in the sky, see if you can pull some strings and get some silverware organised for SJP. Good on yer Ken. Rest in Peace mate.
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
I'm stunned by the news. It's the last thing I expected after logging in on a Sunday evening. My heart goes out to all his family and friends. I've been sitting here trying to compose something applicable, but words are failing me...
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
Very very sad news. Rest in Peace Ken, you will be greatly missed by us all.
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
Like so many others I was never fortunate enough to have met Ken in person but boy what a laugh I'd get out of ITK on here. A very funny man who loved - nay loves his club as much as anyone. The one thing that stands out for me about ITK was his clear desire to make the most of the here & now. Ironic then that at a time when he was just starting out on a new chapter of his life he was cruelly taken away. I bet by way of payback he's making life hell for any mackems who've also made it into the celestial Champions League ! Please be good enough to pass on my sincerest condolences to all Ken's family and closest mates. A top fella who will be sorely missed on here.
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
Very sad indeed to hear this news yesterday; an awful day. He will be greatly missed on here, as no doubt elsewhere.
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
Ken , I hope you're logged on up there and can read these postings . For a man who loved to make people laugh and wasnt averse to a smile or two yourself , this BBS is a true testimony to your popularity and broad spectrum of friends . From Heaton Lad to a Man with friends all over the world , it goes to show that as a Geordie you excelled . I personally will miss very much your humour in the face of despair and the time you put into supporting this club , your network of friends and ( somehow ! ) your family . Its times like this sitting in Sydney on the other side of the world that I realise how far away I am . The very last thing you did for me was to assist in putting the pictures from our Sydney get togethers onto the Net . At first you didnt succeed but tried and tried again until you'd completed the task . Those pictures allowed me to communicate to all sorts of people , and your efforts i will never forget . Those and countless other memories from this BBS , games e all attended with you , days and nights in the pub , telephone conversations and all will remain with me forever . You had so much to say and too little time . A man who transcended age groups and brought people alive with your enthusiasm . This is a very sorry loss for your Family and Friends .. You can take the Lad out of Heaton , but you'll never take Heaton out of the Lad . Rest in peace Bonnie Lad , Your friend Grant .
-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001
(just posting this on behalf of Tynedale Man who doesn't currently have internet access)It is appropriate that my memory is primarily of the big mans laugh. Made a rather dark day at Wimbledon pretty bright. To all the bbs folk that met Ken this is a big loss of a big star. A man of his generous spirit and great humour will be taking the celestial elevator UP I geuss, where I suppose, he will truly be 'In The Know'.
RIP Ken Dixon Fondly remembered, Forever ITK
Roger & Sue (Tynedale Man)
rhill@aapt.com.au
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
RIP Ken.Ken was a great man, I never met him, I only knew him as a poster.
At times he could be a little devil winding those up who crossed his sights and i loved him for that. At times his opinions could lacerate and provoke and I wish i could see more of that, but mostly Ken was about laughs - big laughs. He turned a grey lump of wires and metal into something painfully addictive, i´ll miss you... Lucky, lucky old Angels.
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
Completeley gutted and shocked.There's one more Geordie in Heaven.
R.I.P Ken
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
What can I say, that hasn't already been said?Sad, sad, news. RIP ITK.
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
Just got into work and this news is the first thing that greets me. That is one of the great things about this bbs, the fact that it is the first thing that I go to when i get in to work (a testimony to all your postings but especially ITKs which were always entertaining and full of life) and that the "community" always gathers in times of crisis and reveals its collective warmth. It was something that ITK was especially proud of.I met ITK just the once in the Cherry Tree after the Wimbledon game. The lasting impression I got of him was a big man with a great laugh who made us all laugh after another truly dire game. He greeted me warmly despite the fact that he had never met me before with that " oh so that's what bake looks like" kind of look that I'm sure we have all done when meeting BBSers for the first time. That is how I will remember him as a big man with a warm and funny personality.
RIP ITK best wishes to your family and condolences in this sad time.
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
I'm not quite sure what to say, but as words mean so very little at these times I guess my best efforts will have to do.Ken was one of the biggest NUFC supporters I've ever met. Big in spirit, passion and generosity. His stories of playing golf with Keegan (whom his dog was named after) never failed to amuse, and his dislike of Sunderland was always tempered with his inimitable sense of humour. As he lived near me it was only a matter of time before the Hillingdon Branch of the BBS met up. Ken, True (Bill), Scratchy (Andy) and myself spent many a happy hour sinking the beers and cheering on Newcastle United in the Prince of Wales, Hillingdon. We witnessed many great and not so great moments in NUFC history together, and every game from now on will be greatly lessened by his absence.
It was rare that Ken would miss an opportunity to see the Lads play and he was an assured presence on the Hillingdon tube station platform for London games where we would share banter on the way into town for the inevitable cockney defeats.
I'm finding that my mind is filling with the memories of the many occasions we met: a wave when driving past while walking the spirited Keegan, our abortive Southampton meet at Evergreens with Pete IC and his pride in purchasing next season's home top on the 1st day of issue.
Typically the Southampton game was the last time I saw him, and typically it was a raucous affair - the game on the telly was abismal but we all met 2 Geordies who had stopped by to see the game while in the Smoke on business. It is a happy memory of Ken, which is how I will see him always: smiling, beer in hand and shouting on the lads. I will miss him greatly.
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
You've lost a true warrior...a man that would fight his corner till the very end. A man I loved jostling with. I'll miss him.Respect to ITK Respect to Ken.
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
It's Monday morning and I've just read this post with shock. I didn't know the man, but judging by the type of response shown here I would love to have counted him among my friends. Rest in Peace Geordie brother
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
Alright lads and lasses?? So very sorry to hear of ITK's passing at such a young age. My thoughts are with him and his family.DD (cheers Screach)
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
Ken's postings always amused me. He will be a big miss. Best wishes to his family. You never know what is around the corner. On days like this, I'm a big fan of straight roads.
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
Absolutely gutted .Although I only met him three or four times , I felt that he was a good friend due to his postings on here and the frequent E mails that we sent each other. He, like me liked to have a laugh especially at the maKems.
My thoughts are with his family, at this very sad time.
I'd like to sugest to other users on here that we get an enrgaved paving stone with an enscription on dedicated to our mate Ken and have it situated in the walkway benieth St James'Park. Any thoughts on this?
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
ITK,Didn't know you personally, but your knowlege and opinion of anything NUFC, your humor, with your mastering of the inbreds........
You cant understand the laughter I've had at your winding up of the poor highly strung inbreds...
But to me although I didnt know you anyway, you're only a Geordie who expressed the north east as a very, very special place, by your huge personality.....
R.I.P.
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
Do you think it would be fitting to rename this place the 'In The Know bbs' until or after the funeral?He would haved loved that.
ITK, helped make this place.
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
Just got this news.Hadn't realised how this would affect me, but I'm typing with tears streaming.
When we got this going after Communicata disappeared, Ken was one of the first to come over: without him, this thing of ours would never have become what it is.
Rather oddly, over the 16 months or so I ran this place, I became quite protective of 'my boys' ---the folks, male and female who built this place with me. It took my wife many months to realise that when I popped upstairs to check on how 'my boys' were doing that I meant I was gonna be here with you, and not listening to the radio the toon result.
As with so many on here, I never met Ken, but I still feel like I've lost one of 'my boys'.
Gan canny bonny lad.
Dunx
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
SwiftI can't work out how to rename, it says in the admin page that you can't as it is a key in the database. Duncan do you know any better ?
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
MacIt's a possibility that the sysadmin can do it: I'll mail Philip Greenspun and ask him to do it for us. We need to be sure of the name though. It'd be fitting to have a 'permanent' Ken Dixon NUFC BBS. Any comments on wording before I mail Philip?
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
I can hardly believe it. Although I never met him, I feel like I know him just from this board. There's not too much you can say at a time like this. Gan canny lad.KT
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
NUFC ITK Board ?
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
That sounds good to me Mac....
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
Good idea, but bbs rather than board.
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
NUFC ITK BBS sounds good to me. The 'ITK' reference is important I think.
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
NUFC ITK BBS perhaps has a few too many "LETTERS" and maybe not enough "Words". So long as present BBSers don't forget Ken I guess it doesn't matter that much. It's a nice thought to rename the Board in his memory though.
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
ITK's Newcastle United BBS?
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
Rik wins it for me
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
I kinda like Unofficial NUFC ITK BBS. Or spell out In the Know. A tribute to Ken, and also has some meaning to any new folks joining. "In the Know" as in we're a fairly knowledgeable bunch and do occasionally get bits of info before it's blasted to the world via the press.Also, if folks haven't looked at nufc.com yet, they've got a nice tribute to Ken, including a photo for those who haven't met him and would like to put a face to the name.
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
I'm pulling together all the comments mad eon this site, sanitising them where necessary, and I'm going to make a little booklet to send to Mrs Ken. I've copied the NUFC.COM to make the front cover, with our stuff in behind.I intend to send it towards the end of the week.
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
It was Ken who got me a password for this BBS last year when I was working in London. I almost made it to one of his famous curry nights but could'nt get there at the arranged time. How I wish I had now. Reading Ken's postings on here, but especially RTG, was some experience. He was/is notorious on that board...for all of the right reasons from a Mag point of view. In his Stew canel guise he has left a legacy that will go on for ages. Infact RTG is still littered with Stew Canel references, one way or the other, right now. I never met the man but you could tell he was 200% Geordie. He had a host of tales to tell about Newcastle's nightlife in the 60's and 70's and I remember giving him the gen about where to go these days. Infact I remember rightly he was gonna give The Lizard Lounge a visit after I told him about it! At 40 odd years of age! The bloke is a star!Basically Ken was the definitive Geordie...loved his city, loved his team..and loathed the Mackems. What more could you possibly want from a man?
Rest in peace Ken mate. You really truly will be missed.
And by the way, just like you told me when you gave me a password..I've behaved myself!!
-- Anonymous, May 21, 2001
R.I.P ITK we'll miss you.Tre
-- Anonymous, May 22, 2001
AllI've mailed the sysadmin asking him to change the name of the BBS to
In the Know's Newcastle United BBS
I'll let you know when I get a response.
-- Anonymous, May 22, 2001
First chance I could get on a pc, since hearing the shocking news. My thoughts are with Ken's family. He will be sadly missed R.I.P.Kats
-- Anonymous, May 22, 2001
Heard the very sad news on Saturday in the Strawberry along with several others. I met Ken several times at away games in London - great bloke and true Toon supporter. There's nothing more I can say that hasn't already been said on here already.God bless you Ken.
-- Anonymous, May 22, 2001
From RTG this morning, on Ken/Stew's style ...I wouldn't have had it any other way. How boring would it be if we weren't worried about giving the skunks opportunities to take the piss, or having a massive derby game and winding each other up like fuck about it?
I know for a fact that the majority of posters on the Vicar's Tea Party message board think I am a cunt because I am constantly slagging them off and taking inter-club rivalry to vitriolic levels. But any time one side visits the other's board and has a go, or pulls a big stunt of any kind, they can always come back and do the same to us and it sure as hell makes life interesting.
I wish Stew Canel was still here, coming on the board, giving us shit so we could give him shit back. He'd be happy, we'd be happy.
-- Anonymous, May 22, 2001
From RTG this morning, on Ken/Stew's style ...As a 45 year old myself with a young wife (she's younger than me, anyway) and two children, and who enjoys being provocative on this board and winding people up, I have no room for anything but sympathy here. I have often wondered what would happen when this new Information Age starts to get its users dying: now I know. My own personal symapthies go straight to Mrs Dixon and her children. Unequivocally.
Alien
-- Anonymous, May 22, 2001
From RTG this morning, on Ken/Stew's style ...
Mate
Posted by SW19 Mackem on 22 May, 2001 at 10:33:29:
This is the internet , he wasn't firing a gun at anyone , only words.
He definately livened things up a bit!
R.I.P.
-- Anonymous, May 22, 2001
Wow they've stolen souls from somewhere ;)) nah but seriously, fair play to them....we like to wind them up but at least we both realise there are more important things than that....
-- Anonymous, May 22, 2001
I have been away....and come back to find one of our own has died. I simply cannot take it in. It doesn't make sense.I still remember the little thrill of realising those years ago that we had "one of us" in the BBC, truly "In The Know" although he never made any big deal about it. Thank you, Ken for all the laughs you never heard from thousands of miles away in Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Eastern Europe, America....exiled and adopted Geordies delighting in the humour and fire of the genuine article....pure home-bred. For all your passion and insights that we silently shared and you gave voice to....didn't agree with everything - you could be a bolshie b***er at times ! - but that didn't matter one jot. We'll miss you so much.
I fully support the re-naming of the bbs. I liked Rik's suggestion.
Never got to meet...never will now. Rest in Peace, ITK. Maybe you'll get to see all the lads' games from where you are now. I hope so.
Alan joins me in sending much love and condolences to Mrs. Dixon and Ken's daughters. Your husband and Dad was a much loved man all over the world.
-- Anonymous, May 22, 2001
I met Ken on the old communicata board but didn't actually meetup in person until a couple of years back and from those early days of watching the Toon with him in the lucky pub in Hillingdon and traveling around the SE with him he became a good mate.
It was after teaching Ken bits and pieces of HTML (just enough to be able to end a post with the italics on) he got involved in the Dailytoon website and his was the 'voice' behind the site - I dearly hope Marion Pahars does join the toon as his was the one player ITK championed (it seems fitting that the last goal we watched together was Pahars equaliser - HE TOLD US SO).
Ken- I'll miss you ya daft 'old' bugger.
-- Anonymous, May 22, 2001
I can't believe it, it just doesn't make any sense to me, I am so sad. Ken will always be one of the original Heaton lads, as it turns out he was the uncle of a very good friend of mine, he also went to school with my sister and her husband back in the day. He got in touch with a few weeks ago and we managed to put some of these old school friends back in touch with each other. He was always thinking of and putting other peoples interests before his own, that was the kind of lad he was. A true gentleman in every aspect of the word.I loved his banter, he will be sorly missed. My deepest regrets to his family.
-- Anonymous, May 22, 2001
Mac - If you can't change the name - how's about getting a meaningful URL that points to it ?
-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001
Get back to the top, where you belong mate ^^^^^
-- Anonymous, May 23, 2001
Bobby and all those who never met Ken might like to take a look. My last game before heading out to NZ.The Soton match, September 17th 2000:
http://uk.geocities.com/graemedelap/dellinquents1.html
Gan Canny...
-- Anonymous, May 24, 2001
Excellent 'photo min, frameable for Ken's family?Ton up ^
-- Anonymous, May 24, 2001
Bud - have the original pic somewhere but it's back home in the UK.All
I was wondering if perhaps over the coming months it would be a nice gesture to invite Jenny and her daughters up to SJP for the first game of the season? I'm sure we could sort out tickets and get a gathering of the BBS-ers and really pay tribute to Ken?
Thoughts?
-- Anonymous, May 24, 2001
We don't want to intrude too much mate....it could all start getting a bit ghoulish....
-- Anonymous, May 24, 2001
yeah - wasn't sure meself mate but thought it worth checking opinion...
-- Anonymous, May 24, 2001
Truly gutted to hear this news and my deepest symapthy to all his family. Ill miss his great posts and all the kind emails he used to send me on London venues for the Toon on TV. What a wonderful tribute this thread is. Hope he gets a fantastic view of the games from up there.
-- Anonymous, May 24, 2001