Russell Haigh

Russ appeared in his beloved Superchels’s official matchday magazine of 4 December. Chelsea beat Newcastle that day 4-0, which was a nice touch.

RUSSELL (top left) with friends and family

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Obituary

Russell Haigh

Lower West Stand season ticket holder Russell had been visiting Stamford Bridge since the age of seven with his brother Marcus and father Chris.

Known for his footballing ability - he was a strong goalkeeper - 24 year old Russell was much loved at his local Saturday and Sunday clubs. In addition to helping out with the Brockham Badgers junior team, he played for Brockham’s first team on a Sunday, and was keeper for Newdigate first team on a Saturday.

Russell and Marcus were fans of John Terry and Frank Lampard respectively, and their only point of disagreement was that Russell always thought that John’s name should be on the team sheet first!

Tragically killed in a car accident on September 24 near his village of Newdigate in Surrey, Russell’s family, partner Sam and all the villagers are totally devastated by his death. However, they cannot think of a better tribute to the memory of true Blue Russell than to mark his life in the matchday programme of his beloved Chelsea.

The family have also set up a website celebrating Russell’s life that can be found at www.russellhaigh.com.

Thanks to Chelsea matchday magazine for publishing this tribute, and also to the fans who responded to it so kindly in Russell’s guestbook.

Simon’s memorial pub crawl around Dorking went fabulously, thanks to everyone who turned up to toast our boy and play the drinking games. Some great value entertainment was provided by everyone who were caught out by the ever more difficult and random rules - you know who you are!

Thanks to Tony Ivey, who went all the way to Menorca to get Russ a signed cricket bat. It will be displayed alongside Russell’s personal bat in the cricket club house, with a plaque in his memory.

Chris has been given a lovely 10 year old, home grown, oak sapling by his friend Phil Faulkner (the “Dashing Donny Osmond”).

Rusper Golf Club have agreed to plant the sapling in the most awkward of dog-legs, exactly what Russ would have wanted!

Some of the boys have gone all Chelsea (flower show, that is) and planted Russell’s name with daffodil bulbs next to the cricket pitch. A blooming good gesture, definitely something to look forward to in Spring.

Jackie and Steph have beaten everyone to it and put tattoo needle to skin. Stephanie went for Russell’s initials on her tummy, and as a nod to Russell’s idea (he was planning to have a tattoo of the family’s initials) Jackie’s gone for exactly that but with Russell’s picked out in red.

Steph's tribute to Russ

Stephanie, 22 October 2004

Hats off to Steph for going first and having Russ’s initials inscribed on her tummy. Mini Haigh, you’re a mini legend…

Mum's tribute to Russ

Jackie, 23 October 2004

Russ, being a sweetie as usual, was planning to have the family’s initials (”C J L M R S”) down his spine. In appreciation of that, Ma went for her own version (just the kids) on her hip. Having the R in red is superstitious, it both highlights him and yet remains the only letter in that colour.

Many thanks to Roger Bayliss and Russell’s younger Brockham club-mates, who held a minute silence in his memory.

In memory: Brockham Badgers Football Club's under-11s, Royal United under-11s and friends and officials of Brockham Green Football Club hold a minute's silence for Russell Haigh. The senior squad later paid a similar tribute

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Football friends pay tribute to their club-mate Russell

Former club-mates of Russell Haigh, who died when his van hit a tree outside Newdigate, held a minute’s silence in his memory.

Brockham Badgers Football Club paid their respects to the former Brockham Green Football Club player at their home and away matches on Sunday October 3.

Roger Bayliss, manager of Brockham Badgers under-15s and former member of the Brockham Green squad, said: “Russell was a credit to everybody around him. More importantly he was a credit to himself.

“I will always remember him for his laughter and humour. He had this positive effect on everybody’s life that touched his.

“The world will forever be a poorer place for his loss.

“I know he will be looking down and would want us all to remember all those special moments.”

He added: “A reflection on our cup final win last season, smiling faces forever in our hearts and minds.

“That is the memory I will always hold.”

Russell, 24, of Village Street, Newdigate, was killed on September 25 on Rusper Road.

Thanks to the Dorking Advertiser, to all the football friends and Roger Bayliss.

Many thanks to Peter Moore and the team for organising a minute silence on 3 October prior to the match, and to everyone who turned up to take part.

Thanks to Newdigate CC, who wrote a lovely tribute to Russ on their website.

Cricket club web page

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Newdigate Cricket Club

The Brocus, NEWDIGATE, nr Dorking, Surrey 01306 631566

In Memory Russell Haigh

Newdigate Cricket Club

4 Jun 1980 to 25 Sep 2004

The loss of a young life is always tragic.

Russell Haigh (24) lost his life at the end of Newdigate’s 2004 season. Russell had just completed his first year as Club and 1st Xi Captain. He had made such a huge impact for such a young man. Russell was implementary in Newdigate’s best ever league season. His attitude and enthusiasm rubbed off on all club members both on and off the field. He joined the club in 1997 and soon became an integral part of all aspects.

No club function will ever be the same without him!

Source: Newdigate Cricket Club - October 2004

SurreyDowns.org - Thank all concerned for allowing us to publish.

Thanks to the boys at Newdigate FC for overcoming the world’s worst hangover long enough to stand up straight for a one minute silence without retching (pity about the blue boots though Jay).

Hi, I’m Russell’s big sister’s boyfriend. I’d just like to say a few words on behalf of Russell’s big sis and little sis.

From the day Russell was born when Lolly was an unfeasibly cute 6 year old, Russ was one big cuddly toy to her.

Whenever Russ and Lolly met up it wasn’t “Hi bro”, “Hi sis”, it was “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, Russellllllllllllllllllllll!”, followed by 30 minutes of snuggles, 10 minutes of Young Ones quotes, and 15 minutes of rough and tumble.

Safe to say Russ and Lolly’s relationship was more strawberry mousse and hotdog sausages than fielding tactics and deep heat.

There is no better defining moment to sum this relationship up than when Lolly went up to Russ after the village cricket day and asked whether getting a “duck” was bad. They proceeded to wet themselves laughing, and then had 30 minutes of cuddles while watching the fireworks.

No words can describe how much she is going to miss you Russ, but she would like to tuck you in, give you a big sis sloppy kiss on the forehead, and say “sweet dreams, snugglepup”.

I’d now like to say a few words for Russ’s little sis Steph. Stephanie needs no introduction, she is quite simply “one of a kind”.

There is no better way of expressing Steph’s love for Russ, and his love for her, than can be portrayed in something she calls the “proud face”. And it goes something like this: *pulls a proud face*.

Could you all please rise and join me in filling the entire church with proud faces, after 3.

1,2,3.. *Everyone pulls proud faces*.

Thank you.

I was asked on Monday how on earth I must be feeling and coping, after all, Russell was my brother, but he was also my best friend. Well, that question probably cannot be answered in full right now, but I would to have a stab at it today and in some way describe what Russ meant to me.

In terms of losing your best mate, words fail me right now, but you’d get similar answers from a number of people, specifically Gethin, Jay, Paul Dixon, Jim and from his time in Kent, Michelle and Dave. Frankly though, I have not met anybody from this village or elsewhere who didn’t feel Russell was their best mate, or at least they wish he had been! That’s who my brother was, friend to all, best friend to most.

The most powerful emotion I have when I think about my brother is pride. Pride which can only be felt, words do not exist which describe this feeling accurately enough. I am proud of the things he achieved, in sports as everybody knows - from his first kick in the garden and his first match at little league when he joined my team, to becoming the youngest club cricket captain in Newdigate’s history! He was the best at everything he did.

But proud mostly because of his values and beliefs as a person. A true gentleman, Russ was honest, extremely loyal and so modest about the things he was so clearly brilliant at. He was somebody for whom nothing was too much trouble, or time to precious to give. He was the kind of person everybody wished they could be. I am encouraged by the fact I will take Russ with me wherever I go, he’ll constantly be in my thoughts and he’ll inspire me to be the person I want to be from here - which is more like him.

I can say 100% that I have no regrets about our time together. There are no unanswered questions, nothing I wish I had said to him which I didn’t, no feeling I wish I had made clearer. I think the closest we ever came to having an argument was when discussing the merits of Ranieri’s tinkering, or whether its John Terry or Frank Lampard on the team sheet first!

He died knowing exactly how I feel about him, and I am blessed with knowing how he felt about me - we both thought each other was our hero, the one person you could turn to when the going got tough, but the one who you tried hard to be like too. In a way, I am comforted by the fact he went before me, because I couldn’t bear the thought that I had put him through the pain I am feeling now - as some of you will know, he was a soppy sod at the best of times!

I will forever be grateful to our mother, Jackie and our father, Chris for producing THE finest human being imaginable and allowing me the chance to have the brother I couldn’t wish to change in any way, and I know I speak for our sisters Lorien and Stephanie when I say that. He did us ALL proud.

So for now Russ, although I could go on forever - I simply want you to know that it has been a privilege being your brother, and I’ll see you when I see you matey.

Thanks to everyone who came along. It was emotional, but we still did it in the style Russ would have liked us to..

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A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Russell James Haigh

Aged 24 years. Rest in Peace

Funeral service Friday 1st October 2004 At 11.00am

• Pre-entry music: “Adagio for Strings” by Barber
• Entry music: “Zadok The Priest” by George Frideric Handel (the “Champion’s League” theme tune)
• Introduction & welcome
• Hymn: Abide with me
• Tribute from Family
• Psalm 23
• Tribute from the Cricket Club
• Hymn: Lord of all hopefullness
• Tribute from the Football Club
• Tribute from Family
• Prayers
• Commendation
• Music: “Let me entertain you” by Robbie Williams

The family would like to thank you all for your Support during this very sad time

Donations if desired C/O: Thompson & Son Funeral Directors, 14 Coronation Buildings, Brougham Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 2QY

Alex Wright of the Dorking Advertiser has written a sensitive piece that includes some lovely tributes.

Dorking Advertiser, 30 September 2004

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Community in mourning as Mole Valley’s roads claim another victim

Man, 24, in fatal crash

A COMMUNITY has been left stunned by the death of a 24-year old man who was killed when his van hit a tree outside Newdigate.

Russell Haigh, from Village Street, Newdigate, died after his Ford pick-up went into the tree on Rusper Road, near the entrance to Woodlands Farm, early on Saturday morning.

Police, ambulance and the fire service went to the accident, but Mr Haigh was declared dead at the scene.

Family and friends have paid tribute to Mr Haigh, described as a keen sportsman who was popular and highly thought of by all.

His father Chris said: “He was very outgoing, friendly, caring and very popular.

“Everyone’s going to miss him a great deal.

“He was so popular with all age groups, from friends of mine to friends of his, and integrated so well with everybody.”

Mr Haigh was born in Kent and moved to Newdigate about six years ago.
He had many friends in the area and a girlfriend, Samantha Jakens.
Mr Haigh worked as a tool hire manager for Jewson and played for Newdigate and Brockham Green football clubs.
He also skippered the village’s cricket club 1st XI, and was getting ready to go away on tour with them to Menorca.

Eric Longhurst, club secretary of Newdigate Football Club, said both home and away matches on Saturday and Sunday were cancelled and prayers were held at the church.

He said: “We are just sad about it.

“He was the joker of the club and was full of beans.

“He was a good footballer and a Chelsea supporter.”

John Calcutt, from Newdigate Cricket Club, said Mr Haigh was a good all-round sportsman and had only taken on the role of captain at the start of the season.

He said: “Russell loved both cricket and football.

“He had the ability to mix with young and old, and endeared himself to everyone he met.

“He was fun to be with and showed respect and courtesy to all.

Peter Moore, coach/manager of Brockham Green Football Club, said a minute’s silence would be held at the club at 9.30am this Sunday in memory of Mr Haigh.

He said: “I knew him for just over five years and he was a fantastic lad, always laughing and joking.

“In the changing room, if people had long faces, the moment he walked in he would change all that.

“He never had a cross word for anybody.”

Mr Moore remembered how much Mr Haigh had enjoyed his appearance in the cup final at Leatherhead only at the end of last season.

“His death is just a great pity - it’s tragic.” he said.

“All of the Brockham Green players and staff send their deepest condolences to his friends and family.”

A funeral service is planned for tomorrow (Friday).

* Anyone with any information about the accident is asked to contact the police’s collision investigation unit on 01932 569922.

Thanks to Alex Wright who wrote this story, and everyone who contributed their thoughts to it.

A fitting tribute from a lovely fella. Jay has retired Russ’s number 1 Keeper’s shirt to the club house.

A quick thank you to Mr Brown for initiating an impromptu church gathering on the 25th. It was a lovely gesture, which was greatly appreciated by friends and family. A sanctuary of calm in the middle of a storm.