The family of an electrician who used to shinny up the floodlights of Portman Road hope his fellow Blues fans will join in during a moment of remembrance next week.
At Ipswich Town’s match against Everton on October 19, a round of applause is planned in memory of fan and former employee Charlie Cocker.
The 82-year-old was a season ticket holder for many years, and even worked for the club for a time.
As the club’s electrician, he would often be seen shinnying up floodlights, and in his later years, acting as the cheery coach driver for the academy students.
Ipswich Town said they were saddened to hear of Mr Cocker's passing, following his many years of loyal service.
He was, said his granddaughter, Ellie Evans, one of life’s good guys.
A dedicated Town supporter, he never missed a game, cheering on the Blues even during the cold winter months and in his later years when his health had declined.
Charlie was born on October 17, 1941, meaning that Thursday would have been his 83rd birthday.
An Ipswich boy through and through, Charlie grew up in Bramford. After leaving school, he began an apprenticeship at Ransomes, learning to become an electrician.
After meeting his partner, Jenny Evans, Charlie moved to Gainsborough. He and Jenny were together for 35 years, and together they built a vast, blended family, with Charlie’s children, Jem and Martin, and Jenny’s sons, Martin and Richard.
Charlie had 11 grandchildren, and was a beloved great-grandad of two.
From the 1990s until 2011, Charlie worked as an electrician for Ipswich Town, maintaining the stadium and having the task of changing the bulbs in the arena’s floodlights.
After retiring from being an electrician, Charlie wasn’t ready to leave Town just yet. For a number of years, he became an academy driver for the youngsters training with Town, taking them to appointments or perhaps to the airport if they were required to travel.
Charlie was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2019. He had been in remission but was informed that the cancer had returned in June of this year.
Charlie died on September 21, aged 82.
During next Saturday's match, a round of applause at the 82nd minute in honour of Charlie.
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