Thetownend.com

I am in ireland this weekend but just received some sad news by text.

Iris has been very poorly in hospital and passed away last night.

A loss of a lovely lady and loyal loyal fan.

RIP Iriss x

Oh no. Sad news.

A real STFC fan. I was stood near her at the Charton PO away leg . I had to move away as her support was too passionate :)

RIP Iis. Give the lads a kick up the ass today for us.

Oh No !!!!!

RIP Iris x

Sad news, every away game I went to I seemed to see her. Win or lose she had a smile on her face. If only we had more supporters like her
Rest In Peace, thoughts with the family.

Sad news indeed.

Not a good week in Swindon.

If only the majority of Town fans demonstrated the support this feisty lady could muster. RIP.

RIP Tickets.

I knew she had been in hospital for a while

Is this the lady who had all her pin badges on her front?

If so I think she's been at every Town game Ive ever been to. An immensely loyal supporter.

RIP

Yes mate

What sad news indeed she was a lovely woman who was very kind to my boy when he was youngster and will sadly be missed especially by all the people that used go by coach to the away games.

Batch is right i remember telling my boy off for swearing infront of an old lady at an away game then minutes later she started swearing a very funny moment at the time thats when we first got to know her.

R.I.P  Iris your passion will never be forgot.

RIP

I like to imagine she was sat in hospital conducting a man of the match poll amongst the Doctors.

Bit of a shit week all round this.

 :clap:

Iris was a fabulous lady and close friend-went home and away with her for many years-feel devestated and totally numb. RIP

RIP Iris, such a legend with the Swindon fans, and thats not an understatement, she will be missed, much condolances to her family and friends.

Ah no - I didn't know she was ill - used to always say hello in the DRS when she saw me after recognising me from a couple of away games....

RIP Iris :(

You know i have seen her at matches for over thirty years.....i didn't know her name.

Well i do now......R.I.P Iris Higgs.

Is that the Iris who went to all the away matches and had loads of badges?

Oh no - RIP

Sad news indeed.

I only knew her from seeing her in the Winners Lounge and selling the Nest egg tickets before the games but was affectionatley know as "Badges" to me, my bro and DAD      RIP Iris :( a true supporting legend !!!

R.I.P Iris Higgs now that is a supporter

Sorry - didn't realise this was the second page of the thread - should have read the first page before asking those questions.
She was one face I was always guaranteed to see when I went to away matches. Wish there were more like her.  :(

Bye Iris-far more of a Town Legend than any of the current players are ever likely to be.She offered me 30 quid for one of my badges-wish Id given it to her now.She will be missed very badly.

I used to go on the ST travel club coaches years ago - she was always there with a lady called Jean was it? - and she was on number 1 coach at all the games.

RIP.

Very sad news indeed. I didn't know Iris personally but I know whe she was. One of those people like Leefer said, who you see at every game you go to over years and years. You almost feel like you know them even though you've never actually spoken to them. I used to sit behind her in the South Stand in the days when I had a ST. Whenever we were live on TV I remember, the cameras had an uncanny knack of picking her out for some reason. A really great character.

Ah, crap news.RIP

Rubbish :( RIP

i'm shocked at this very sad news.she seemed fit as a fiddle with many years left in her.
Iris will be known to every town fan as she was instantly recognisable.
rip Iris.

Mine and my boys' going to the matches will be a little bit sadder for Iris not being there, lovely lady, always had the time to stop and chat and a more devoted Town fan you'll not find.

RIP Iris. They just don't make them like you any more.

Wonderful lady and a brilliant supporter. My friends and I will always remember her as 'crazy grandma'.

RIP Iris

That's so sad :(

Never spoke with her but always used to see her. What an amazing fan we've lost.

Sad news, every club needs characters like Iris and I'm sure she'll be missed.

Sad news indeed and I'm sorry for your loss Bart.

RIP Iris.

Gave me a free ticket at carlisle one year, saw her at every game I went to, terrible, terrible news.

Come on town, let's get a result for Iris.

Been to hundreds of away games over the years and Iris was one of the faces you always saw at every game no matter what.

Sad news indeed. RIP Iris.

I am very sad to hear this news.  She sat behind me & along a bit in the DRS and was quickly pointed out to me as a bit of a 'character'. I spoke to her a couple of times & heard she'd been in hospital but hadn't realised she was quite so poorly.  She was such a true supporter & lived & breathed the game. Even after a terrible game you knew that Iris would still be in her seat for the next game exhorting the players onwards.

Iris, if everyone was half the supporter you were then the club would be in the Premiership. RIP

Boooo :(

Thats a liitle bit of Swindon Town in heaven

RIP Iris.

Never spoken to her either but would always seem to see her at some point during an away trip to the point where it would be part of the ritual... and there she was no matter how ridiculous the trip or how indifferent our form.

Was a nice constant and a little part of matchday goes.

What a perfect small statement to sum up another terrible piece of news. Like everyone else has said, she was a true legend among Town fans, especially away from home, and one of the nicest people.

Oh my gosh :(
RIP Iris
I aspire to be like her when I'm older
Beautiful glamourous and Swindon through & through.

I think the posts on here speak for themsleves.

So sad when I was told at withdean today. I remember her phoning up mick the greek and calling him a tosser at mk away. Feel embarrassed to have shared supporter of the year with her a few years ago. I wasnt and never will be in her league. RIP.

Bart please pass on condolences

Also I don't know if Iris had any family locally, but if so please pass on the way she has been remembered in this thread. So many people knew who she was, how much she loved the Town, and consider her part of STFC. How many fans are held in such high esteem.

thanks mexico red-will pass on all the condolences to the family

Was really sad at Brighton today, turned up and some of the SAS travel organisers were crying.. Just seemed as if something was missing off the pitch with us today.

RIP Iris.

RIP Iris

 :bye:

Thanks for the memorys

x

I have only just realised that through marriage I was very loosely and distantly related to Iris.  Her sister was married to my wife's uncle, and I did speak to Iris at wife's uncle's funeral a couple of years ago.   RIP Iris

I didn't know her name until this thread, but now the references to the badge wearing has been highlighted, I've spoken to her several times after games in the winners lounges.  I also happened to walk out of The Valley alongside her after the play-off win and laughed at her energy while I felt completely drained from it all.  I remember wondering if I would be still as fanatic about Swindon when I was her age - I hope so.  RIP.

Iris was a diamond of a woman, dyed in the wool STFC, and with shock-value as well

Sad news a real character and STFC through and through

Ah that's really sad :( have seen her at EVERY away game since my first one 11 years ago.

R.I.P

I dont think I can remember every going to a game and not seeing Iris.

I've spoken to her on occasions but dont know her but know who she is, as do we all.

I hope the club has some sort of proper tribute lined up because she's been there longer than all players have been alive and then some....

Me and a few others have something lined up!

Every club needs an Iris. A loyal fan and a good woman. RIP

At the very least PM STFC Bart and run it past him. Your idea of what constitutes a fitting tribute may not correspond with the family's.

Okay!

Like Swinbart, I am lucky enough to have been able to call Iris a good friend, being with her both home and away.  Like so many, I am going to miss her dreadfully.

She was one in a million, wore her heart on her sleeve, and had a heart of gold.  She managed to attract attention wherever we went, including chatting up the manager of Boots in hartlepol, and a rather nice police inspector at the Charlton play off game.  

Reading all the posts and tributes left today have brought me more than a few tears, and made me realise what a fantastic bunch of fans we have as a club.  Your messages are both moving and funny, and shows just how many lives she touched.  RIP Iris, and thank you xx

I remember Iris at the Play-Off semi and she was so full of optimism, even though I said i was pessimistic of our chanes. For those STFC's who weren't there, that day is indelibly marked in my soul, and my chirpy conversation with her forms a part of it. Never to be repeated, but she was there, and that's, in all her get-up-and-go will be how I remember her by. Away days rule

As a collective I think we should do a away days (and that's the true Swindonians) perhaps at Brentford and pledge our badges to sell off for charity??

Well up for doing something in her memory, but not quite sure of what you mean!

Maybe we could all give our Swindon enamel badges and sell them off and give the proceeds to a handicapped child or something?

Everybody could contribute on the TEF to a sort of TEF auction(not just badges to raise more!) and donate to a charity of the familys/friends choice?

Again, I'd suggest any planned tribute should be run past family/friends via PM to Bart/Mrs Miggins. But for myself I'd certainly like to see the minute's silence before the Hartlepool game be for Iris as well as Sian.

Crispy, I am very much up for that, though not living locally I can't organise it. This lady, Iris, symbolises this club, in terms of pure loyalty and passion, we need to do something. I f only, as has been said, those johnny-come-lately's had a modicum of her zealous support, we'd have had the 12th man at Wembley

RIP Iris

I always though the woman wearing all those STFC badges was a bit weird. Then I met her and got into conversation with her. What a fantastic character she had. Completely the opposite of what I thought she'd be like.

Fucking shame she's passed on.

RIP, Iris.

Paul. that would be very appropriate, will contact the club myself to ask that this happens

Iris for player of the year!

Whilst they are both tragic losses, Iris has such a massive connection to STFC that sharing a minutes silence with Sian somehow doesnt seem enough for Iris from the club.

As cheesy as it sounds I actually quite like Yeovils suggestion of her winning player of the year award. She deserves it more than any of the players do.

R.I.P

It's all sad to hear that a loyal fan has passed away. Thoughts are with the family and friends in this sad time.

I think they should maybe consider doing a minutes applause for Iris as I think that would be more appropriate. I do however think they should arrange it for the next home game (Notts County?) as I think the Sian tribute should be seperate.

Iris should be front cover of next programme

How about something like a memorial award?

Mint a giant badge and stick it on the Stratton Bank.

Good call DVinho, now that is thinking outside the box and most praiseworthy

^^^^^^^^^^Yes^^^^^^^^^^^ :nod:

That's a very good point on reflection. Probably wouldn't be appropriate for either to have it shared, for different reasons, obviously.
I do too. We should do a "write-in" campaign to the Adver

Sad and shocking news. An instantly recognisable lady (although I never knew her personally). Condolences to her family and friends. RIP Iris xxx

I've absolutely no interest in turning this thread into a debate because this has been 6 pages of brilliant tributes to a dedicated supporter.

However, I think the re-naming of a yearly trophy (supporters?) in her honour is more fitting.

She was one of us and not one of them.

Very good call. Can you nominate a shortlist?

Only just seen this thread, very sad news. RIP Iris.

Im sure the club will be having a minutes applause at the last home game again, would be nice if a special mention was made for Iris. Naming a supporters trophy after her is a great idea.

One idea I had was to have a shirt squad number in her honour - maybe 21 as that is how old all lady's are - maybe for a year. That way she'll be in all the programmes and a reminder to the players that for fans like her football matters. If Pompey can have one for all their fans then we can have one for Iris. I know this may then lead to who is the biggest supporter etc but I can't think of any Town fan as instantly recognisable as Iris - represrnting the good side of STFC that is. 

i think we should leave it too her closest friends and family to decide.i'm sure they will do something.we should just support that.

Just saw this and would like to pass on my condolences.

RIP Iris

Very sad news.

I remember the Brighton play off game in 2004 and Iris was going round the Winners lounge spraying the kid's hair red and she got me !

Some sort of tribute should be put in the Winners lounge I think.

RIP Iris.

An absolute gem.

just heard this - terrible news - she will be missed by all her friends and others

RIP

I remember seeing her jumping up and down celebrating in front of the tv camera after the Charlton away playoff leg.

True legend.

Just seen this, RIP Iris! A sad week for Swindon

Just seen this, so sad a lovely lady - RIP

I would possibly be a fitting tribute for something to be named after her - perhaps the Stratton Bank for next season, but as has been said it is obviously a decision for her family to make in conjunction with stfc.

This is the phrase which has kept echoing back through my mind this week. Obviously I don't know whether or not the club are planning to acknowledge Iris before the game tomorrow (what with the silence for Sian O'Callaghan and all) but whether they do or not, we should.

Rousing chorus of "One Iris Higgs" straight from kick-off?

we can only sing 'shit refs' though :(

The thing is, beyond everyone on here and those who know her from the Supporters Club / SAS travel, most people won't have a fucking clue what it's about.

My feeling is the club will announce her death before kick off......then maybe a song or applause in memory of her.

It looks like there is something in the programme about her death, as it's mentioned on the front page :

http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/MatchdayMagazine/0,,10341~2328586,00.html

That's a nice touch.

Her funeral is next week at Kempsford, be nice if the club sent a representative.  The Iris Higgs of this world do not come along very often.

Lad from chippy who i knew died a few years ago and was a massive town fan.

Andy King, Super sam and Stefani Miglioranzi went to his funeral

Fair play to them Tans!  Sometimes the fans are taken for granted, it showed the club did care a little in those days.

Gutted! My daughters school play the same day FFS! :(

I thought the words in the programme were excellent and heartfelt- as was the idea of a minutes silence in memory of Sian. Also their annual end of season role call of departed fans. This really is a community club once again. 

I think that is such a good idea. Do any other clubs do it I wonder?

The minutes silence was impeccably observed

I woke up this morning thinking about our currently plight and remember a wonderful moment which lives in my memory as being proud to be a Swindon fan, inevitably Iris is in it.

Our relegation season, when we lost 7-1 at Nottingham Forest. At 5-0 down rather then berate the players, our fans start to thinkwe are going down, lets still enjoy ourselves. A few people start to sing, I thought bugger it this is crap but I am still proud to support Swindon. Iris was sat in front of me and joins in trying to gee up the rest of the people around her - people who you never thought would stand up and sing there hearts out - but they did. Shear bloody defiance it was great.

The way our fans supported the team that day will never leave my mind, neither will the sing song we had with Iris that day.

Just thought I'd share

One of my all time favourite away days.

Could someone scan the programme article please?

Was thinking about him the other day. I remember having chats to him in the local about Town and he was the nicest kid you could wish to meet. His illness didn't seem to bother him at all and he was always laughing and joking. RIP Buzza.

The Supporters Club in conjunction with Iris’s family wish to announce that the funeral will take place at St Mary’s Church Kempsford at 12.30 pm on Friday 8th April followed by a short service at Swindon Crematorium at Kingsdown at 1.30 pm.

The family have advised us that fans are most welcome to attend, either or both services and are invited, should they wish, to wear the red and white of Swindon Town when attending.

Family flowers only, but all donations to “Cancer Vive” C/O A Slade and Son, 35 Dyer Street, Cirencester Glos. GL7 2PP Tel: 01285 656336.

The family have invited everyone to “The George” in Kempsford after the ceremony at the Crematorium, but for those fans who wish to celebrate Iris’s life at the Ground where she spent so much time, the Supporters Club will also be holding a gathering at the County Ground at around 2.00pm on the same day.

If you plan to attend the County Ground event it would helpful if you would please e mail The Supporters Club at    [email protected]   by Thursday 7th April, to help us provide for those planning to attend.

In coming weeks the Supporters Club will be organising a suitable memorial to Iris, including the availability of a book of condolence / memories, for fans wishing to share a few (or many) words on Iris’s life. Further details will follow ahead of the Milton Keynes match

Who's buzz a? Pm me as I don't want to hijack this thread

I'd like to see this too?

I hope all goes well for all those attending and those who have organised the send off.

What sad news.  My wife and I used to regularly speak to her home and away as we followed Andy (Nicho).  She was full of vitality and infectious enthusiasm.  Lovely lady!

I believe all went well. Ipopped into the county ground late in rtge afternoon to sign the book.

Iris: the legend of legends!

Iris is/was a genuine legend in the realms of Swindon Town football club, such a shame that the players don't take a leaf out of her book and give everything they have for the love of the club as Iris did.

Maybe naming one of the stands the Iris Higgs Stand would be appropriate? Maybe the supporters club could organise a whip round to pay sponsorship for it?

Iris Higgs - Book of Condolence / Memories / Tributes

Following Iris’s funeral there will be a book of condolence / memories available outside the entrance to Legends lounge from 12.30 – 2.30 pm ahead of both the MKD and Notts County games for fans to add their personal tribute.
Outside of these hours the book will also be available in the STFC ticket office, during their normal opening hours from the Monday after the MKD game.

The Supporters Club will be presenting the book to Iris’s daughter after the Notts County match.

There are also plans for a permanent display inside Legends lounge in memory of Iris and her stoic and enthusiastic support of Swindon Town.

A brilliant idea - The Stratton Bank has had the Adkins Family Stand on it for nearly 2 seasons now - (sure that naming thing was just for 1 season)

The Iris Higgs Stand would sound a lot better and would be a fitting tribute

It was for 2 seasons

http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/news/headlines/4338448.BREAKING_NEWS__Stratton_Bank_becomes_the_Adkins_Family_Stand/

well if it was for 2 seasons then there is no reason why it shouldnt be Iris Higgs Stand from next season

did anyone from STFC attend?

I wasnt there but Swindon Maniac went....

Watkins - great gesture ....and ex Chairman Mike Spearman i think, thats who i know for sure.

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/9496283.The_last_visit_for_Town_fan/

RIP to a fellow Town fan.

What a choker. 42  :no:

Puts up with years of crap and pops off now of all times.

Decent fella and was a friend of a friend. Town through and through. Rip Buzza

Shit. It's funny how a picture shocks you.

I've seen this guy loads in the Legends lounge before matches over the years. Can't believe he's dead now :(

I went to Buzza's funeral today.  Very sad & very moving but he was given a fitting tribute by his family. A lot of people had to stand outside the Crem and listen to the service on a speaker  because of the amount of people  that turned up to pay their respects which was good to see.  He was a great bloke who had a lot of time for everyone.

RIP Buzza you'll be sorely missed by all who knew you

Sad to hear about Darren Buzza. Last week Richard Dunstan also passed away, he was in charge of all the ball boys/girls around the time me and Tails were doing it. He also used to do the Junior Robins aswell, his funeral was on Tuesday. Always used to see him at games until a few years ago. Came as a real shock when I found out, he was a really nice guy.

was Richard the chap who used to do the above with his wife? My Daughter was really nervous about being a Mascot a few years ago but she was spoilt rotten and loved every minute of the whole experience. RIP Darren and Richard.

George and Brenda Chadwick look after the mascots Notts.

RIP Darren and Richard.

Thanks Batch, I recognise their names now you have said.