Though I met Gary on less than a handful of occasions, he saw him as a man possessed of humanity and dry humour. He also expressed this in his messages on AVL and in personal e-mails we shared. I was shocked to hear of his passing and he will not be forgotten.
John Lerwill, 28 January 2017
Although I never met Gary "Steamer" Haddon, when I joined AVL several years ago, I felt I had made a great friend who was full of wit, knowledge of Villa, and so many other things. The banter, discussions on music, tales of the "steamers", and genuine conversations, made you feel that you had known him from the beginning. Then there were the tales of the caff, Curry goat, rice n'peas.
I shall very much miss his posts on AVL, and am so very sad, that I did not get to meet him, especially affter Jennie, Steamer 75's daughter confirmed what a great guy he was.
I wish to express my condolences to his family, fellow steamers, and the rest of our AVL family.
Gone to join the great Holte Enders in the Sky, but not forgotten.
Paul Pears, 28 January 2017
Firstly, I'm very sorry for Gary's family, close friends and all those that knew him.
I always looked forward to reading his comments on AVL. Gary (Steamer) was a well written man. He was a natural. Everybody involved with AVL will miss his wit, his sincerety, his craftsmanship and perhaps, most of all, his comradeship. He treated everybody the same. I miss him.
He kura kainga e hokia, he kura tangata e kore e hokia. The Maori proverb means, one may return to a treasured place, but a treasured person, once gone, will never return.
Farewell, Steamer.
Ian McFadyen (Trinity), 29 January 2017
I did not know Gary (Steamer) Haddon personally but his input to the Aston Villa Life community was contributory to its success. He was always able to promote discussion with his comments and observations.
Sadly, it was only after his demise that we who did not know him learnt about Steamer the man, who was generous and caring for his friends; the post from the daughter of one of them showed his true character and made evident the fact that he will be missed by those with whom he had contact. He will be remembered - a true Holte Ender in the Sky
Clive Evans, 29 January 2017
Feel slightly fraudulent writing this as I never had the pleasure of meeting or truly knowing Gary 'Steamer' Haddon. But I'm compelled to say something because he showed me what true passion for a club was in his words. I loved his sense of humour and will greatly miss his contribution to Aston Villa Life.
Time to sleep Steamer, as another Holte-ender goes to the sky.
My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this time.
Darren O'Rourke, 30 January 2017
I met Gary in the early seventies and we have been friends ever since, we watched the Villa home and away and also played football together for a variety of clubs we tended to follow each other around.
Our little group of lads from the Broadway/Meadway areas were probably the best bunch of blokes I had ever met and I had the pleasure to say I was part of it, we made up a small part of the infamous Steamers, a firm of Villa fans who had one mission - to follow AVFC with an unbridled passion.
Gary was a big part of the Steamers and earlier the Dougal and he was a universally liked character I cannot remember anyone having a bad word to say about him.
We had so many brilliant times together and the laughs were endless he was a massive character and I feel honoured to have been his friend, I always kept in touch via email and I will miss his humour and his honesty, I will miss the man I only knew as Gary he was a big part of my youth, some people are irreplaceable, Gary is definitely.
Benny ( SWV ), 30 January 2017
Although i never met Gary [Steamer] Haddon his sad passing has left a massive hole in my life, his witty banter of all things Villa, stories of old, capers and stunts of the steamer gang. and his general warm welcome for all the newcomers on this site.
R I P mate gone but never forgotten
James Gill, 30 January 2017
I was so pleased to have met Gary.I will treasure the Villa shirt he gave me,typical of his generosity.I miss his posts and the passion in them.Rest in peace Steamer.
Villa Brasil., 5 February 2017
The loss of Gary aka Steamer as I really knew him really hit me hard. This could be surprising in that we never actually met face to face or even talked on the phone, but our almost daily contact was in the form of Aston Villa football blogs.
This is something that has spanned many years and over that time I have enjoyed Gary’s wit, sharp tongue, great stories of his past, love of music, politic view points and his distinct way of telling it as it is and not dressing things up.
I did realize recently that this guy is a part of my life as when he stopped posting on the blog I felt like there was something missing in my life not reading one of his comments —- it wasn’t just me either; most of the regular posters were asking him to please come back.
All I can say Gary is that my existence has a little less to look forward to without you here and I for one miss you
blessed love
runtings
5 February 2017
The loss of Gary aka Steamer as I really knew him really hit me hard. This could be surprising in that we never actually met face to face or even talked on the phone, but our almost daily contact was in the form of Aston Villa football blogs.
This is something that has spanned many years and over that time I have enjoyed Gary’s wit, sharp tongue, great stories of his past, love of music, politic view points and his distinct way of telling it as it is and not dressing things up.
I did realize recently that this guy is a part of my life as when he stopped posting on the blog I felt like there was something missing in my life not reading one of his comments —- it wasn’t just me either; most of the regular posters were asking him to please come back.
All I can say Gary is that my existence has a little less to look forward to without you here and I for one miss you
blessed love
runtings
5 February 2017
I never met Gary, but he had a remarkable affect on many of us.
I read the posts on AVL for about 3 years without posting.
Gary’s ‘Steamer’ posts were usually the highlights for me, & what he set off with them. He often made me laugh when I was down & reminded me of realities when I had lost them, which helped me through some difficult times with illness.
The thing that struck me was the obvious love he had, which shone through despite the contents of the posts sometimes.
You could tell he cared, not just about the Villa, but also very much for the other people on AVL.
When he started to threaten to leave it affected much of the blog, & it became clear the regard everyone had for him.
Personally it jogged me into finding the confidence to start to post, as like all of us I wanted him to stay.
My condolences to his family & close ones
He will always be here for us as we will not forget him.
Ian G, 6 February 2017
” Steamer” it was after reading your fantastically witty and often sarcastic blogs that I eventually managed to join the family on Aston Villa Life. In the short time we conversed we learned a lot about each other and how much we had in common. Not just a love AVFC but our love of music and speedway be it Monday night at Perry Bar, or Saturday night at Brandon watching the Bee’s. So thank you for adding that little something to my day for the last few years, you will be truly missed my friend, and i send my love and condolences from over the pond in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada that’s how far your wit and alternative views of life have managed to reach and touch your followers.
Canadian Villa, 6 February 2017
Although I went to the same school as Steamer I never got to meet him, but use to love reading his posts which were always spoken from the heart but with a little humour, and a real passion for the Villa.
He will be sadly missed on AVL.
RIP Gary.
muz1, 9 February 2017