Steven Heslop RIP ..

Just heard the sad news of a friend and Claret has just passed away, been supporting the Clarets for over 40 years and was always a laugh and top lad .

I didn’t know him but it’s still sad to read this news. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. R.I.P. Steven.

Very sad to hear this news. Condolences to family and friends from all at Accy Clarets.

R.I.P a fellow Claret.

A superb bloke , R.I.P. Stephen and condolences to Lynda and the family ...

Always known as Big Steve from Clitheroe. Really sad news yesterday

Such sad news one of the ribble valley top clarets.R.I.P

Sad news to hear the passing of a fellow Claret.
RIP Steven
My condolences to his family and Friends

Was he involved in designing kitchens? If so I know who he is. Very sad. R.I.P.

RIP Steven. Condolences to family and friends.

RIP Steve ... always sad to hear of a fellow Claret ... may not have known you personally but thoughts are with your family and friends.

sjb wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 09, 2024 12:49 pm

Was he involved in designing kitchens? If so I know who he is. Very sad. R.I.P.

yes he was ..

RIP Ste, He was a top bloke that will be sadly missed

RIP.

RIP Steven , remember him from school

Great memories of away trips with him in the eighties

My goodness. So sorry to hear this. I'm from Clitheroe and knew Hessie quite well. Used to travel to away games with him at times back in the 80's and often saw him in the Cricket Field this last few seasons. RIP Steve and deepest sympathies to all your family.

I didn't initially recognise the name but I think it's the guy who was involved in setting up Ribble Valley Clarets back in the 80s. Really top lad too.

But whether him or not, really sad news to hear of the passing of a fellow Claret.

Saddened to hear this news yesterday.

Like a few others, I knew Steve from vans and minibus trips to away matches through the 80’s and 90’s.

One stand out event, amongst many, was a dodgy van we hired from a firm in Clitheroe which caught fire somewhere on the M6. Steve said ‘don’t panic, but the vans on fire’ cue twelve lads bailing out the back despite us still being in lane one.

Hopefully a few more stories will be told when we see him on his final journey to the Longside in the sky.

RIEP, Steve.

UTC

Sincere condolences to all 'Big Steve's' family, a true supporter and huge personality at all Burnley matches during the lean years of the 1980s and beyond.

RIP SH.

RIP Steve, another gone too soon

Just seen this, RIP Big Ste. Lovely guy who was a really big part of our growing up watching Burnley. Always looked after us younger lads on away trips and followed us through the really thin times.

Absolute stalwart of the Ribble Valley Clarets, hopefully he’ll be catching up with Dave, Matt, Smithy in the clouds somewhere cheering us on tomorrow.

God bless Ste and huge love to the family

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 09, 2024 5:24 pm

I didn't initially recognise the name but I think it's the guy who was involved in setting up Ribble Valley Clarets back in the 80s. Really top lad too.

But whether him or not, really sad news to hear of the passing of a fellow Claret.

Correct Tony. It was mid to late 70’s when Ste and several others from Clitheroe, Wiswell, Whalley, Chatburn and Downham initially formed the Ribble Valley Clarets. I was a young lad, but got to know him well over the years. I used to work in pub in Whalley from 83-86. Ste always managed to be sat at the bar at last orders, so he could cadge a lift back to Clitheroe with me. Top bloke.

RIP to a fellow Claret.

Bop wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 09, 2024 7:46 pm

Correct Tony. It was mid to late 70’s when Ste and several others from Clitheroe, Wiswell, Whalley, Chatburn and Downham initially formed the Ribble Valley Clarets. I was a young lad, but got to know him well over the years. I used to work in pub in Whalley from 83-86. Ste always managed to be sat at the bar at last orders, so he could cadge a lift back to Clitheroe with me. Top bloke.

I thought it might have been him. Doesn't seem that long since I was talking to him at an away game, never did he see me without stopping for a chat. What really sad news.

Just had this news tonight. Truly shocked - saw him last at Oxford away.

Was a top top guy.

Many a great day out in the bad old eighties with him and some of the other Ribble Valley boys.

Spent a notorious NYE once in Clitheroe before an away day at Wolves NYD back in the days.

Condolences to his family and friends

RIP Big Lad.

I can't say I would recognise many, despite attending matches for nearly 60 years, however, Steve I did know and I have lost a remote friend.

Many years ago, back in the early 80s I wrote an article in the free Salisbury paper of the time. They were after contributors for their, 'Why I support...' column.

I said my bit about Burnley and the next thing is Steve making contact. He was living near Warminster. He and family came down for a work opportunity.

We went to the Sherpa Van final together. His lad came. We took my dad- picked up in Reading. My mum fed the lad chocolate biscuits!

We would often see each other at away matches and eventually, Steve and family returned to Burnley and he started his successful kitchen business.

When I became a season ticket holder, after my wife died, I sometimes bumped into him. He was always glad to see me! A rarity! If I was some yards away and hadn't seen him, he would bound across with a big smile, to greet me as a long lost pal.

You couldn't wish for a more genuine chap. I remember him talking of his lad with glowing pride. Scoring goals for his team, as a schoolboy.

I will miss you and your friendly smile Steve.
My sincere condolences to the family.

Another face I was introduced to years ago. Often chatted at away games and more recently in the CFS.

RIP Hessie

This has come as a complete shock tonight.

Had a chat with Ste at Oxford and he was on top form as ever.

A great bloke.

Condolences to his family and my prayers are with you.

R. I. P

Steve and Lynda “recently “ sat in the Bob . I used to chat to him as I went up the gangway.
I was very sad to hear of his passing . I’ve known “ Big Steve “ for over well over 40 years as a lot of contributors on here have
Steve was very loyal to his friends,family and of course to his beloved Burnley FC
Every time I saw Steve he had a smile on his face and was always happy to meet fellow Clarets
He was a gentle giant but like the rest of us from that era had a few hair raising tales to tell especially from the Van days
Condolences to all his family
God Bless Him

Saw the topic title and thought that name's familiar?
Hessie, a fellow Clitheroe Claret.
Also knew him from way back, all round nice guy.
RIP Steven

So sorry to hear this. I lost my brother Andy Broadley in March this year. They were a similar age and we knew Steve going back to the 80's both on the Long side and away trips. Quite a few of us from Clitheroe and Ribble Valley used to go on together or meet up.
Dave, Andrew, Matt and his brother Mike and a few others. Still see Mike from time to time.

prettygreenclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 09, 2024 9:56 pm

So sorry to hear this. I lost my brother Andy Broadley in March this year. They were a similar age and we knew Steve going back to the 80's both on the Long side and away trips. Quite a few of us from Clitheroe and Ribble Valley used to go on together or meet up.
Dave, Andrew, Matt and his brother Mike and a few others. Still see Mike from time to time.

Your brother was a good Claret too

Really sad to hear this news. I’m another Clitheroe claret who spent many happy away days with him, Big Dave and many more. I first met him whilst still at CRGS when he was working outside the school and threatening Rovers fans with his pickaxe! That gave him a fearsome reputation amongst us at first but in reality Steve was a big softie and a lovely chap. Another Claret sadly missed.

Sad to read this news and some great tributes. RIP Steve.

RIP Ste, after I had lived in Sweden for a few years, he tried to throw me of a train in Sheffield, thought I was undercover, but always made up after finding out the truth, great lad, sadly missed, fly high buddy

Hi all, I’ve just had this post sent to me.

I’m Stephen’s Son Chris, myself my Mum Lynda and Anne-Louise Stephen’s Daughter have been reading all the lovely messages.

Stephen's funeral arrangements:

Thursday 21st November 11.40am at Accrington Crematorium.

A celebration of his life will follow at Forts Arms, 1 Lower Barnes St, Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington BB5 5TA.

The family welcome burnley colours for those who would like to.

Family flowers only please

A live stream for those unable to attend will be available. Please let the family know if you would like the details of this.

Hi Chris,

No words will make things feel better right now, but Denise and I are thinking about you and the family.

Take care mate,

Martin.

Hezzie84 wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 11, 2024 10:29 am

Hi all, I’ve just had this post sent to me.

I’m Stephen’s Son Chris, myself my Mum Lynda and Anne-Louise Stephen’s Daughter have been reading all the lovely messages.

Stephen's funeral arrangements:

Thursday 21st November 11.40am at Accrington Crematorium.

A celebration of his life will follow at Forts Arms, 1 Lower Barnes St, Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington BB5 5TA.

The family welcome burnley colours for those who would like to.

Family flowers only please

A live stream for those unable to attend will be available. Please let the family know if you would like the details of this.

I would like the link, if possible Chris.
I return from Spain on 29th and daughter's birthday in Salisbury on 21st.

Hezzie84 wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 11, 2024 10:29 am

Hi all, I’ve just had this post sent to me.

I’m Stephen’s Son Chris, myself my Mum Lynda and Anne-Louise Stephen’s Daughter have been reading all the lovely messages.

Stephen's funeral arrangements:

Thursday 21st November 11.40am at Accrington Crematorium.

A celebration of his life will follow at Forts Arms, 1 Lower Barnes St, Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington BB5 5TA.

The family welcome burnley colours for those who would like to.

Family flowers only please

A live stream for those unable to attend will be available. Please let the family know if you would like the details of this.

Hi Chris, could you please send me a link for your Dad's funeral. thank you...

Website

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RIP "Big" Steve
I have known Steve for years following Burnley up and down the country.
A genuine bloke and a true gent alovely human being.
I last saw him on the Rossendale Clarets coach before that in the "Prinny"
A big loss to the Claret family.
My thoughts are with his family.

Just remembered, I saw him in the then new Swansea stadium. He actually waited at the turnstile and greeted me with, "I knew you'd be here!"

Just to say hello! Out of the way friendliness and kindness!

Just a reminder -

Stephen's funeral arrangements:

Thursday 21st November 11.40am at Accrington Crematorium.

A celebration of his life will follow at Forts Arms, 1 Lower Barnes St, Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington BB5 5TA.

The family welcome burnley colours for those who would like to.

Family flowers only please

A live stream for those unable to attend will be available. Please let the family know if you would like the details of this.

I can’t make it tomorrow unfortunately but my thoughts will be with his family.

Final bump.

Sorry i can't be there but i will be watching live stream , RIP BIG STEVE who was a great lad ...

Excellent turn out this morning at Accy Crem, with many wearing claret and blue.

A superb turnout for a great fella R.I.P. Stephen ..