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VIDEO: FRIENDS and family of a football mad Warrington man who died suddenly last December gathered in Penketh to remember him – and help carry out his last wishes.
Steve Marshall lived in Maple Crescent, Penketh throughout his childhood but as an adult lived in the USA. But he never forgot the happy times he had playing football on Greystone Road Recreation Ground in Penketh.
On his many trips home he was saddened to see that football was no longer played there – and in his will he made a bequest to the Penketh community to have two sets of goalposts erected there in the hope that grassroots soccer could be revived. On Friday (July 21) the posts were erected, followed by a junior football match played in his memory.
His Wife from America – Cheryl Marshall flew over for the occasion where sjhe was joined by his Auntie Eileen Merideth, sister Christine Foley and Geoff Fellows Chair of Penketh Parish Council, who helped facilitate the occasion.
A family spokesperson said: “Football was his passion. He started playing football at a very young age at the Greystone Road Recreation Ground in Penketh and on his many return visits home would visit his own ‘hallowed ground’.
“He was sad to note that football was no longer played there. So it’s not surprising that he made a bequest to the Penketh Community to have two sets of football posts erected on the site, with the hope that grassroots football for local kids could be reinstated. We are delighted to say this is the case.
“Losing Steve at the age of 65 has devastated his family and friends in his locality in Illinois and here in the UK.”
At 11.30am there was a junior football match played for the inaugural Steve Marshall Memorial Cup, followed by a short dedication ceremony where his wife, family and friends celebrated the life of Steve followed by the scattering his ashes on the ground in line with his wishes.
The family has worked with Penketh Parish Council to organise the occasion.
Stephen Marshall
Steve Marshall was more than a football enthusiast, however. He was an award-winning hairdresser, originally training at Pete Nolan’s salon in Warrington town centre.
He opened his own salon – British Hairways – in Crystal Lake, Illinois in the 70’s. It became well-established mainly due to Steve’s talent and charismatic personality. He later expanded the business and together with his business partner Claudia Heinz created International Hairways, an award-winning salon.
Steve was also a well-known philanthropist, entertainer and avid collector of memorabilia, establishing an annual Beatle Fest in Chicago.
A lifelong Tottenham Hotspur supporter he was the founding member of the Crystal Lake Supporters Club which embraced the team motto ‘To Dare is To Do’.
His wife, Cheryl and other members of his family were present on Saturday.
The family spokesperson added: “Steve will be remembered as an all-round good human being who loved his family, friends, people, music, laughter and course life itself. But football was his passion.
“He had so many happy memories and such good times with his football-mad friends at Greystone Road Rec.”
(L-R) Stephen’s Auntie Eileen Merideth, Geoff fellows chair parish council
and Wife Cheryl Marshall
