Departed Dad is sorely missed
Paul Best was just 53 when he died from cancer of the appendix on Christmas Day last year.
His wife Sarah was expecting their third child and gave birth to baby Leah, only two days after Paul passed away. He also had two sons – Luke, 10; and Zack, 4.
Paul was a well-loved, popular employee of Preston North End Football Club for 14 years, and a lifelong supporter of the club. He had a stewarding role as a deputy supervisor in the old Invincibles Lounge at Deepdale Stadium.
11 months on since his life tragically ended, Paul’s close friends and colleagues got together to organise a couple of charity events in honour of their friend’s memory. Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Union Football Club hosted a disco and cabaret night on Saturday 22nd November 2008, where over two thousand pounds was raised. ‘The Best 5k Fun Run’ around Moor Park in Preston last Sunday generated over £600, which will be donated to the East Lancashire Hospice in Blackburn.
Welcoming
People who worked with Paul explained how warm and approachable he was. Janice Johnstone, who works in the Invincibles Bar, was a close friend of Paul’s.
“He was everybody’s friend, everybody loved him,” she said
“He had time for everybody and made people feel at ease, and when people came in who didn’t know their way round, whether they’d be staff or just people coming in to watch the match – he’d just take them under his wing and look after them. He just made us feel special.”
Vicky Burns, a deputy supervisor in the Tom Finney stand and a steward liaison at North End, said: “he was one of the first stewards I spoke to when I went on the position of director’s corridor, and from that first moment his smile puts you at ease.”
“He was a friend right from the off,” she added, “anything you needed he was there for you.”
Best was forced to give up his stewarding job when he was diagnosed in November 2006. After undergoing chemotherapy there was hope for Paul, but the cancer spread and it was a gradual deterioration in the end.
‘He had a sense of humour’
Despite all that he and his family went through, Paul had the strength of character to remain upbeat, as his friend and colleague Caroline Gayle remembers.
“Throughout all his treatment, he never lost his sense of humour,” said Caroline, a matchday supporter assistant at PNE.
“He’d even joke about it – he’d go “oh there are some nice looking nurses on this ward!” – He was still Paul and he was still lovable.”
Janice Johnstone recalls some banter they had at work: “He used to wind me up greatly because his second club was Tottenham and I’m a North End fan and also support Arsenal – so we used to wind each other up crazy about things like that! But he was North End through and through,” she said.
“He’d do anything for the club.”
Family man
As well as his passion for Preston North End, Paul cared deeply for his family. He met Sarah in 1997 when they were both working together for Hallis Hudson on the Red Scar Industrial Estate in Ribbleton, Preston. They married in May 2006 in Sarah’s hometown Blackburn.
Caroline Gayle remembers how much he cared for his loved ones: “He loved his family; he used to bring his little lad into work a lot. He was just very caring and I have to say, the exec area has not been the same since he’s gone.”
Speaking at ‘The Best 5k Fun Run’ in memory of Paul, widowed Sarah, 30, said he wouldn’t have been surprised by people at the club coming together.
“He said that North end is a family club with the friends he made there. He didn’t see it as a job, he liked going to meet people and helping people – and he got paid for it which was a bonus!”
‘It’s not the same without Paul’
Vicky and Caroline have both now moved off the executive areas at Deepdale, because they don’t find it the same without their dear friend.
Vicky said: “There are lots of other lovely stewards that work on there, they’re fantastic. But it’s just that bit of sunshine when you’re having a really bad day and nothing’s going right for you – and Paul was always there to say “it’s okay, we’ll sort this.””
Paul Best has been sorely missed by family and friends in the time that he’s been gone, and will continue to be missed. However, he’s left a legacy that will never be forgotten.
Readers are very welcome to post their tributes to Paul in the comments section below.
