Stix Lockwood – The Armed Forces Ambassador at Leeds United

It was a cold early morning in December 2009, 8.30am and my house was full of my buddies who I’d worked with in the Royal Air Force, most I’d not seen for over 15 years. We were having our first reunion catch up and there was no better way to do it than go see Leeds United take on Huddersfield at Elland Road. We were all Leeds fans, that was no coincidence, the following for Leeds was huge in the Forces. We had an agenda for the day – football was just one part, I’m sure you can imagine the rest.

But then that changed.

We were just leaving the house when the phone rang. I answered and this strong Yorkshire accent on the other end said: “Hello Darren, this is Stix Lockwood at Leeds United”

And that was the start of a fantastic friendship with one of the most genuine, friendly, honest people that I have ever met.

It had all actually started a week earlier. I’d read an article of local news that seemed to have been started by someone we sometimes call in the Forces a ‘Walter Mitty’. He was giving some bad press relating to an incident with Leeds United which on the face of it looked to be totally out of character by someone who’d served in the military. I really didn’t appreciate what I read; it was giving a wrong impression. So much so that I decided to look up who I could contact at Leeds United to clarify that this person really did not represent the Armed Forces family.

I found Stix’s name and I sent a lengthy note advising how much Leeds United meant to the military – wherever people were serving throughout the world they always had a strong link supporting the Mighty Whites back home. I advised Stix that I’d be coming to the Huddersfield game and would be more than happy to reinforce that message in person too.

Stix replied to my email with some very kind words of thanks. I was happy at that point, and I thought that would be the end of it.

But then that phone call came through on that early Saturday morning.

“How many of you are there?”  he asked

“There’s 10 of us” I replied

“Well come down to the West Stand entrance a couple of hours before kick-off and ask for me”

So here he was, Stix on one of the busiest days of the year with so much that he already had to do on that local derby match day, but he was taking time out to meet us in person to show his appreciation.

And that is the kind of person Stix is – kind, thoughtful, respectful, genuine. We were treated to a quick tour of the players’ lounge and then taken down the tunnel and on to the pitch. A dream come true for all of us.

We couldn’t thank him enough for taking time out, but it was Stix who wanted to thank us all instead. He made sure he spoke to each and every one of us and made us feel very welcome as well as thanking us for our service to our country.

It was a mutual respect, we knew at that point what Leeds United meant to Stix, he is a massive part of Leeds United and you could tell how proud he was to have worked all that time growing into the fine ambassador of Leeds United that he has become.

The follow up to that special day has meant that Stix and I have formed a very special bond. I’d explained to him that I was the County Poppy Appeal Coordinator for The Royal British Legion, so he asked if I’d be his point of contact for the Poppy Collection at the Home game nearest Remembrance Sunday. I said it would be an honour and I’ve been doing every year since.

I’ve also been instrumental in organising the Standard Bearers for the Minutes Silence ahead of kick off too. You will have also seen me stood in between the Standard Bearers, taking the salute on behalf of The Royal British Legion.

And those eagles eyed of you will also have seen Stix stood behind us during that minute’s silence.   He was always immensely proud to be part of it – and so he should.   His association with the Armed Forces is exemplary.

I’ve some very fond memories of the years I’ve been doing the Poppy Collection and Minutes Silence at Elland Road. Each year has been very different. We’ve had different serving military units helping with the collection, we’ve had anniversaries to celebrate, we’ve paid our respects to veterans who are no longer with us and of course we had to deal with the pandemic.

But each year there has been one constant. And that is the support we get from Stix. He works tirelessly to ensure we have everything we need to ensure we can maximise the Poppy Collection and he supports us in every way to ensure the Minutes Silence is carried out successfully.

Even during the pandemic Stix wanted to ensure we were involved even though no fans were allowed into the stadium.   Under very strict conditions we were allowed into the ground a few days before the match to film the Minutes Silence that would be broadcast before kick off on the Saturday.   It was a special moment for us to be involved not only to do the filming but also to comment on Stix’s special bouffant hair-do he’d grown during the pandemic. Of course, the military humour made sure he’d enjoy the moment even more!

That is one side of Stix that comes across in large amounts – his humour.   He gives as much as he takes and it’s a joy to see his special relationship, he has with all those around him.   Although, to be fair, at times I think his jokes need sprucing up a bit, to say they can be corny is an understatement, I’ve lost count of the number of times my eyes have rolled into my head.

One of the other characteristics that Stix has is the great relationship he builds up with his colleagues and players.   You can see the respect he has within the club.   He’s seen many owners, managers and players come and go but you can tell that with each one he still has a very professional relationship.

I remember after one of the games we’d attended we were in the Players’ Lounge collecting the Standards we’d left there after the Minutes Silence.  One of my veteran mates who’d taken part told Stix that he grew up in the street next to Robert Snodgrass. Stix suddenly disappeared to the Changing Rooms and came back with Snoddy. That was typical of Stix, he’d go above and beyond to help anyone with anything, no matter how small or large.  He really does have a heart of gold.  Although, to be fair on that occasion Stix and I hadn’t got a clue what they talked about – their Glaswegian accents were impossible to decipher!

It’s been a very special, memorable journey for me to have got to know Stix over the years.   I know outside of work his family mean so much to him, he speaks so proudly of them.   He’s told me of the long hours he puts in at the club but equally he makes sure he spends quality time with his family.  I also understand his Christmas light decorations around his house are legendary.  I’ve not seen them in person but the pictures I’ve seen make me think how much he goes out of his way to make it special for his family.

Above all else, I can honestly say that Stix has become a true friend.  He has so many admirable qualities that it’s a real pleasure to be around him.

His link to the Armed Forces is exemplary and I cannot thank him enough for all his support over the years.

He really is a true ambassador of Leeds United and I hope he has many more years “Marching on Together” with the club.

Best Wishes

Darren Brooke

The Royal British Legion

The Royal Army Physical Training Corps, North East Branch.

In my view the descriptive noun ‘legend’ to describe people is used far too loosely and often much too liberally. One definition of the term is “someone very famous and admired, usually because of their ability in a particular area”. In my opinion one person who quite rightly deserves to be considered a legend is Peter ‘Stix’ Lockwood.

My first contact with Stix came about many years ago after I approached Leeds United FC requesting a prize donation in support of my annual fundraising event for my Military Veterans Association. Stix kindly invited me and my wife Carolynn to spend a match day at the club. After a coffee and chat in his office we were treated to his infamous stadium tour which not only demonstrated his immense passion and absolute knowledge of the club but also revealed his huge respect for the Armed Forces and his dedication to supporting these and other charitable organisations. In addition to all the football history, the Club’s halls of fame were adorned with so many plaques, shields and mementoes from countless arms and branches of each of the Services in recognition of the help and support they had received from Stix over countless years. After the match Stix took us to the Players’ Lounge to round off what had been a brilliant day in the company of an extraordinary man who, I am proud to say in subsequent years, became a true and loyal friend. Stix also came up trumps on the day donating a signed ‘Poppy Shirt’ worn by Sol Bamba as a raffle prize donation which raised valuable funds for my fundraising event.

From that day forward Stix has continued to support my Military Association and each year invited my members, along with so many others, to the ‘Annual Military Match’ which is always well attended by both serving and retired members of the Armed Forces. One year was particularly nostalgic for me as the match was against Charlton Athletic with whom I nearly turned professional after trials while I was still a young lad in the Army back in 1973.

In more recent years Stix has been so considerate and thoughtful, checking up on me when my health has deteriorated and most recently, he has been so compassionate and sympathetic after my wife very sadly lost her dear mother. With all his own ups and downs in life Stix always has time to think of others before himself.

So many other people have contributed words, memories, tributes, and compliments about this incredible man far more eloquently than me. I wish to echo each and every accolade and endorse every single word of praise and respect written about Stix. He is a ‘one off’, an extraordinary man of honour, integrity and humility.

A genuine and true friend, a thoroughly decent human being and an absolute gentleman. And I say this without any hesitation, he is an outright and indisputable legend.

Dave Smith

Secretary

RAPTC Association, North East Branch.

Coldstream Armed Forces Parade of Colours.

We contacted Stix in  2018 and he asked me to phone him, and I did, and we chatted.

Stix presented us with a Leeds United Poppy Shirt, match worn by Ronaldo Vieira and individually signed by him. The shirt was Auctioned off and money was split with Blood Bikes Scotland (Charity Number SC049314) and the Great North Air Ambulance.

I contacted Stix again in 2019 and we were so lucky he had one shirt left, this time it was a personally signed Gianni Alioski, match worn Poppy Shirt, again we Auctioned off the shirt and money was split between Blood Bikes Scotland and Veterans Lifeline. Each year Coldstream AFD have a Motorbike Run round different war memorials to pay our respects. We have bikers who come from all over the country, and most are ex-service men, after our bike run, we have an evening dance with our Raffle and Auction.

We really can’t thank Peter “Stix” Lockwood & Leeds United enough for their generosity they have been truly amazing.

Thank you again Stix

Coldstream AFD Parade Team & Blood Bikes Scotland

Tim Evers

The Parachute Regiment