I have had the privilege and honour of knowing and working with Stix for 23 years. I first arrived at the Crypt in 1999 and it was not too long after arriving that I met Stix for the first time. Sport is really important to many of the people who access St George’s Crypt either through our overnight provision, our drop-in centre or our accommodation projects in the wider community.
One of my first memories of Stix – which has remained consistent through all the years I have known him – is the donation of raffle prizes for a number of fund-raising events. Additionally, throughout the years, Stix has often visited the Crypt with a number of Leeds United players and the clients – many of whom are LUFC fans – have really appreciated that. Stix also made the point that these visits were also an opportunity for the players to learn something about the realities of homelessness and deprivation – and I think it did make a number of them reflect. Players I especially remember who were moved by their visits were Kaspar Ankergren, Danny Mills, Liam Cooper and Luke Ayling. Additionally, when Stix worked on stadium tours with Northern Ireland’s John McClelland, he arranged for John – who had played for Rangers for a number of years – as well as Leeds, to visit our Regent Terrace hostel where one of the residents was a former Clydebank player. It really made such a difference to Shuggie – all made possible by Stix.
It was always so kind of Stix to arrange for us to do a number of collections for the Crypt on match days and also it was a special privilege to get to know legends like Peter Lorimer, Norman Hunter and Eddie Gray. Peter and Eddie also supported our corporate football tournaments at Garforth and Farsley. This was all made possible by Stix.
There was also a very celebrated occasion when Stix asked for help at the request of the former Club President Mr Cellino as the club were on a run of losing matches and he wanted to see if the pitch could be blessed to turn fortunes around. As a devout Roman Catholic, Mr Cellino wanted an RC priest to perform this task. I had great pleasure in arranging for Monsignor Phillip Moger – then the Dean of Leeds Cathedral – to become involved. Monsignor Moger agreed to bless the pitch and – next match – Leeds United won at home! Philip and I were invited by Stix to attend the Leeds United v Sheffield United match and we received donations from the Club on the pitch before the match in gratitude.
I also remember with gratitude that Stix brought the President (Mr Cellino) to attend the Crypt for our 80th anniversary celebrations. When the photos were posted on Facebook, a Leeds United fan saw the picture of me and Massimo and quipped seeing me in the photo that “here was our next manager”! Quite an accolade!!!
Stix also mentioned to us that Leeds United were a few years ago setting up a charity of the year. We were invited to make a bid for this and got through to the latter stages and made a presentation to senior Club directorate and administrators. Although we were ultimately pipped to the post, it was a great opportunity to promote our charity to the Club.
None of this could have happened without Stix – who has worked tirelessly in developing good connections between LUFC and so many charities throughout our city.
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, Stix
Martin
St George’s Crypt
(Registered charity number 1144474)