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The supporters club - run by fans, for the fans!

Mark Philo
5th October 1984 ~ 14th January 2006

Rest in Peace

Reading

The following paragraphs were written by Bruce Jacob (WWISC Vice-Chairman) and was read out at Mark's funeral:

"Pas and Christine asked me to say a few words about Mark.

These words come from the heart - devastated, heartbroken, deeply saddened, loved, shocked, angry, tragic, never to be replaced and not forgotten.
I am sure these are all the thoughts and feelings, and more, that are going through your minds, as they are mine, at this terrible time. But I now feel it is time to try and push the sadness to one side, and celebrate Marks life. Remember the fantastic times we all shared with him, whether this was on the football pitch, from the terraces or from the warmth of our homes. Mark made such an impact on all our lives.

Linda and I decided to bravely take on 2 Wycombe YTS boys as friends had already done this with Roger Johnson and Mark Leach, and it had proved to be very successful for them. We had a phone call from the club to say that 2 boys and their parents would be arriving on Saturday morning to meet us and see if they wanted to move in. 2 baby-faced, silent, big eyed boys arrived. Instantly my family and I felt comfortable and confident that this was going to work. 2 weeks later, our 2 sons were born. Mark weighing in at about 11 stone and Stuart slightly heavier. Linda and I had decided 2 girls were enough so we were over the moon that we now had 2 sons. Daisy and Polly, our daughters, thought it was really exciting, the 2 older brothers they had always wanted. It wasn't long before Mark and Stuart felt a real part of our family, and this still applies today.

Linda was ecstatic as from the day the boys moved in she was no longer a golf widow. She was quickly educated about the off side rule and tactics. Saturdays were never the same again - bacon rolls and polystyrene cups of coffee at Molins were the norm. Mark and Stuart excelled on the pitch and all of us were so very proud. Obviously, the TV had to be changed to a huge wide screen, the Sky Sports package had to be upgraded and the Premiership Plus season ticket was bought. Long evenings were spent practising new tricks and skills in the sitting room - the coffee table challenge was always a favourite.

It wasn't long before we could go on holiday and leave Mark and Stu in charge of our house, so very respectful and trustworthy. Many jokes and tricks were played and laughter never ceased. Marks sense of humour was unique. He and I really did make each other cry with laughter, in fact, I think he was one of the very few people who found me funny. Even when the boys were out we were always in constant banter via text messages.

I always knew when Mark was troubled by something. He would go off to bed and sure enough be back down 10 minutes later in his boxers shorts saying "I'm just getting a glass of water". That was my queue. "Was everything alright today?" I would ask. His big brown eyes would look up and he would smile. We would talk until the early hours and together would sort his worries whether they were on the pitch, with mates, or girl trouble.

Many birthdays and Christmases past. We would always go out as a family and celebrate. Balloons and streamers, birthday banners and of course cakes and candles were all part of our celebrations. When the boys returned after the Christmas break we would always have our own special Christmas day.

Mark was an incredibly sensitive, caring person. He would always spend time with our girls after school, helping with homework and just being their for them. He would often leave silly messages on their blackboard, jump in their bed in the mornings when they used to go to the bathroom, which always made them scream. When Linda was in our shop working, trying to serve customers Mark and Stuart would appear at the window, behind the customers back, leaping around and pulling faces, - always a joker, always a smile.
There are so many fond memories which we will treasure forever.

I have never doubted Marks ability on the pitch and even having such bad luck with injuries I have no doubt in my mind that Mark would have made it to the highest level.

I always used to say to him HITCH YOUR WAGON TO A STAR but that dream has been cruelly cut short. But next time you are out, on a clear night - please look up because one of the brightest young stars in the sky now has been officially named "Marky Boy" after our Mark."

The above reading was supplied by, and used with the permission of, Bruce Jacob. © WWISC.

Adams Park Tributes

Early afternoon on Sunday 15th January, flowers and scarves are left in tribute.
Sergio's Man of the Match trophy from the Notts County game takes centre position, left in memory of Mark.

Wednesday evening (18th Jan.). The tributes tell the story - Mark will be missed by so many.

Happier Times

© These photos have been supplied by, and used with the kind permission of, Paul Dennis

As we all knew him and where he loved to be - on the pitch.

This season was the 3rd year that WWISC had sponsored Mark, and each year he was invited to join us for our Christmas dinner.
The first photo was taken at the Christmas dinner in 2004 and the second one, with his girlfriend Jade, was from this Christmas 2005.

Remembering

1 minute silence before the Stockport game - players, fans and Football Club staff all remember Mark.
During the Memorial Service for Mark held on Sunday 29th January at the Football Club, Steve Hayes, Ivor Beeks, John Gorman, Steve Brown and Roger Johnson present Mr. and Mrs. Philo with Mark’s kit.

John Gorman:
"Farewell our Darling Mark,
Prince of Young Players we must depart,
No more stand and admire you
From what once was Adams Park.
So play up the Wycombe Wanderers,
Stand up and play the game,
For in a team a spirit stands,
Mark Philo is his name."

Messages of Condolence

Since we all heard of the bad news, messages of condolence and tribute have been pouring in from all directions.
Here are a few sources to those messages:

1) Set up by a Walsall fan upon hearing the bad news: (follow the link to the left of the page)

2) On the Chairboys.co.uk website, tributes from players and officials:

3) On the Chairboys.co.uk website, tributes from fans collected from the Gasroom message board:

Donations in His Memory

A trust fund has been set up for donations in Memory of Mark, and at a later date a decision will be made as to which sporting charity the donations will be passed.

Donations can be made through WWISC (cheques can be made payable to "WWISC" and we will then write out one cheque when all donations are in), alternatively, you could make cheques payable to "Mr. PW Philo and CM Philo" and we will pass them on. Any donations made through WWISC should be sent to our main club address.

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