I first met Tony in September 1962 when we started school together so we really do go back a long way!

As we were both summer birthdays we joined a class that had already been formed earlier in the year (in those days you couldn't start school until you reached the age of 5!) and we were rather thrown together but we stayed friends throughout our school days and beyond.

When we were 8 we used to play this great game of dare where we'd wait until a car was almost upon us and then we'd dash out in front of it. Tony was unfortunate enough to be with me on the day I got it wrong and ended up in hospital for four months with a serious leg break - it could have been much worse. Strangely we stopped playing dare after that!

I can remember whiling away many an hour with Tony putting the world to rights while we listened to The Rolling Stones, The Eagles or his beloved Rory Gallagher after our O' levels or A' levels. We were confident young men then, we knew everything.

Then it was off to university and we began to learn what life was really all about!

I had the privilege of meeting Tony a few times recently while he stoically put up with his illness and I never once heard him complain. That was typical of the man I knew.

Sincere regards to you all.

Terry