Nigel Milligan RIP

[Si_Nichols]

It is with deep sadness that I report the passing of Nigel Milligan following a battle with cancer, a lifelong Barrow AFC fan who for many years had been based in West London.

Nigel followed Barrow home and away when he was based in the North West (mainly Barrow and Grange-over-sands) and more latterly up and down the country as one of a band of southern exiles among which he has many friends.

Older forum contributors will have known him as sanddevil or sanddevil-temp though he had not really posted for the last 5 years or so. He had also spent much of his spare time over the last few years creating an online Barrow AFC archive.

I got to know Nigel over the last 15-20 years and we became close friends, sharing in the many ups and downs this great club has put us through on many trips. He was fantastic company, a great story teller and although a very well educated man he was never afraid to let his true feelings be known vehemently on the terraces.

His funeral will be at West London Crematorium on a date yet to be confirmed. Nigel will be sorely missed by many (myself included) and we will be remembering and raising a glass to him and many shared memories at upcoming games. RIP Nigel.

[Jonty]

I didn’t know Nigel but sorry to hear of his passing and remember he was an active poster back in the earlier days of the forum. RIP fellow Bluebird.

[McMark]

Sad to hear of another exile passing Si. Nigel like others have been through the good days and the darkest of days but thankfully he got to see our reemergence in league football. Thoughts are with his friends and family at this sad time.

[ZiggerZag]

I first met Nigel when I started to travel with the exiles in the early 2010's. He was very passionate on the terraces and as Si said, forthright with his views regarding the team/performance and anything else for that matter! I remember one instance when travelling back from a game in the North-West we got marooned at a station in or near Chester which I think could have been called 'Bach'. Rather unimpressed with being turfed out of a train and abandoned many miles from home Nige strode up to the now disembarked driver or guard and, rather loudly, asked him 'what is he going to do for us!' The answer forthcoming, in a broad scouse accent, was 'I'll tell you what I'm going to do for you, nothing!' Diplomacy was never his strongpoint but such characters make for great away days. We'll miss you Nigel.

[barrowaberdeen]

I am so sorry to hear this. A really nice bloke, really loved his football, seen at many an away ground with his fellow exiles.

RIP and condolences to friends and family.

[Lancaster Branch]

Ah bloody hell. I thinking about him the other day after searching for some fact or other and landing on his archives page. I didn’t realise he’d been ill.

RIP Nigel.

[spirit of 1990]

That’s very sad Si. I didn’t know him but remember his posts very well from a few years back.

Condolences are with his family & friends.

[pjdaly]

Like Spirit, I didn't know him at all but well remember him being a regular contributor on here as Sand-Devil Temp. I had wondered on occasions over the last few years why such an impassioned supporter had disappeared from this forum. I didn't know Steelworks End either but still miss reading his posts on here. It's funny, you may not know someone at all but feel in some small way you know at least a part of them very well - the Barrow AFC part - through the enthusiasm with which they post on this forum. And, know them or not, it's always a sad moment when you hear these fervent and loyal Barrow supporters are lost to us. Condolences to all who knew him.

[Wintergreen]

I met Nigel via this very forum many moons ago as we took to colourfully insulting each other over some issue or other. When we came to realise we were both middle aged men we decided to meet up for a pint in The Duke before a Barrow game to bury the hatchet and what a laugh we had. We then walked to the ground and he showed me a house in Holker St where he had lived above what had been the family's shop. We both agreed it was a pretty unbeatable address for a young Barrow supporter i.e. a sweetshop in Holker St.

He was indeed some character, good company and a sophisticated yet fanatical Barrow supporter. Rest in Peace Nigel.

[Si_Nichols]

Thank you Adam Johnson for the lovely words about Nigel during the second half commentary today.

I will make sure that all the other lovely messages are passed on to family and friends.

[Angela]

Really saddened and shocked to hear this sad news. Condolences to his family

[Hadrian]

I didn't know Nigel but communicated with him about his statistics site which, unfortunately, he has not now been able to bring to fruition. He was friendly and welcoming and I had hoped one day to be able to meet him in person.

May he rest in peace!

[frankums]

Nigel was a larger than life character who was part of the regular "exiles" group, meeting up before games especially in and around London. Always a cheery word, and at the centre of the conversation. He will be sadly missed by us all.
Nigel - you certainly made your mark on us all. RIP

[Toid]

Such sad news, RIP Nigel. Haven’t got to many games recently but always used to appreciate Nigel shouting wise words at the referee and opposition

[Si_Nichols]

For anyone interested in paying their respects and raising a glass in his memory, Nigel's funeral will take place on Monday 15th May at 11:30am at West London Crematorium (Harrow Road, NW10 5JS) with refreshments afterwards at William IV restaurant. The family would really like to meet Nigel's friends and colleagues and a number of the southern exiled fans will be in attendance.