The obituary notice of Mark Andrew WIDDOP

Mark, AKA 'MC Northerner'. You loved the important things in life - football, music, beer and the great times they gave us all. Still have the volume of mixtapes you did from uni days that will now feel extra special. Will miss you. K

I met Mark at Uni. We were in the same halls of residence. We had so many adventures together, taking advantage of the London tube network to explore London - a few (many) public houses and football stadiums were definitely involved.
He is a true friend and he will always be a true and everlasting friend in my heart.
On hearing the gut wrenching news of his passing I was flooded with sorrow, but then of such joyous memories of this true gentleman. Memories that will stay alive with me forever. Too many stories to tell, but all of them full of fun and laughter ….and football.
After Uni we ended up back in opposite ends of the country, but that doesn’t change the fact that he is one of the few people that I consider my closest of friends.

I went to university with Mark 91-94 at Brunel/West London Institute of Higher Education and we lived together in halls of residence and stayed in touch over the years. He was a phenomenal guy. My memories of Mark? Four things really. 1) Music, we bonded and shared much of our musical passions. He had great taste we mutually enjoyed introducing our musical passions. He loathed Depeche Mode (my favourite), we loved New Order. We just loved music. 2) Football. A mutual passion of his Oldham and my West Ham and Exeter City in my case, and being in London those 3 years gave us a phenomenal opportunity to watch an abundance of football. We didn’t care what level. Non league, league 2, premiership, we went. Usually visiting several pubs both there and back. Often in Richmond, Isleworth or Hounslow 3) Humour. He made me laugh. A lot. All the time. We called him Widdy/Northerner (we were All Southern based). Not sure I ever called him Mark. We took the Mickey out of each other constantly as good friends do. 4) most importantly he was a good guy. Quiet if you didn’t know him, a joy when you did. But he was a good guy with a big heart and we became friends very quickly (our rooms in halls were about 20 ft apart). We just bonded and got each other. Sarcasm and dry wit were our hidden weapon. I will miss him greatly. A good one.

I met Mark at University in 1991, when we were in the same halls of residence. He remains the only Oldham fan I have ever met outside of a football match. Being in London he often came with me to watch QPR, because he just loved watching live football. His mix tapes were the stuff of legend and his knowledge of music from various genres was outstanding. I don't think he ever forgave me for driving him from London to Plymouth in a car that could only pick up Virgin AM and had a broken tape player. When he returned to live up North, I would always try to catch up when QPR were playing up there. I am convinced he remained jealous of my replica 1962 Brazil shirt, and by calling it a "Yellow Duster Top" was just his way of hiding it! Mark was a great friend and our token Northerner. I am sure he is enjoying a pint of Fighter Biter (Shandy) right now.