Simply The Best - In Memory Of Colin Lock

Part of me wishes I had set my blog up earlier so that I would've written at least one post before the sad news came out about Colin's passing, another part of me thinks it's fitting that my first post is a tribute to a man who's encouragement last season is a large part of why I'm having a go at writing my own blog this season. 

 Photo used with kind permission of Gavan Mcnally

A social media post this past Monday morning announced that Colin passed away peacefully on Saturday 20th July 2024 following a 12 year battle with cancer. Throughout the day, and the remainder of the week, tributes to Colin have poured in on Facebook / Twitter, from numerous NUFC YouTube channels and the traditional written press. Much like the late Sir Bobby Robson, respect for Colin extended beyond Newcastle Upon Tyne with tributes being paid by Sunderland AFC Women, Durham Women FC and Middlesbrough FC Women amongst others. 

I didn't know Colin for very long but he's left a huge impression on me. The first time I really spoke to Colin was Liverpool Feds (away) in October 2023, my first away day of last season's tier 3 promotion season. Due to the timing of the trains I arrived super early so had a chance to speak to Colin before the warm up's started. I felt honoured that he knew who I was to be honest, certainly made me feel welcome. Going forward from there, Colin would always be one of the first people I would look for on a match day, the fact that Colin would ask about my family or how I was is something I'm very grateful for. I'm far from the only person who has mentioned they looked straight for Colin, he brought a lot of happiness to many football fans with his sense of humour and positive outlook on life. I very much admire how he never let his illness get to him and remained positive throughout. 

The tributes that have come from throughout the football community show just how highly thought of Colin was. Certainly within the Northeast, few people have done as much to raise the profile of women's football as Colin. Not only as photographer for Newcastle United Women for the past 14 years but just in everyday life, he really lived for women's football and would've loved to see Newcastle United Women in the Champions League, hopefully that will happen in the next couple of seasons. As mentioned above, I'm sure Colin left a positive impression on many a football fan, whether the home shirt was black & white stripes, red & white stripes or any other colour. Many regulars at Kingston Park consider him a valued friend and are saddened by his passing. 

It always meant a lot to me if I wrote something on the Newcastle United Womens Fan Group on Facebook during the week and, at a match, Colin would say I really liked that Matt lad, keep it up. I hope, even in just a small way, I can do your memory justice with this blog and help contribute to the growth of the women's game. I'm certainly not the only person you've inspired, you've left an amazing legacy. I'm really going to miss you, rest in peace my friend. 

Final day of last season, last photo (of me) taken by Colin.