The Wavertree Champion The baby of the gang, with the cheeky grin and dimples Tales of plotting against the Cecil Street chickens Running the gauntlet just for the loo. The football team, basketball for England Holding the javelin record at school Nothing was off limits for the Wavertree Champion. After conquering Merseyside, it was down to Newquay, Hotels & surfing & bright orange shorts Beach football against Chelsea, Wavertree Champion of sorts Then in North Wales the legends continued First trophies for Blanau, and a champions parade On the back of a coal truck history was made The Wavertree Champion had won over the Welsh. A room full of boxes of tarnished silver trophies Another, in darkness, not with a bed in But reserved to grow mushrooms This did my head in A squash lesson to a 13 year old me and some mates Taking great pleasure in battering us Wavertree Champion, one of the greats. The top loading video recorder with the green felt cover So robbers couldn’t see the red light on the left. Left the telly on loud when he went out at night The robbers would think you’re still in, and quite deaf The video tapes in those fake leather-bound cases All numbered and catalogued to watch over again Rocky, one, two, three, then ‘one vee’ Empire, Return of The Jedi - meant so much to me. Saturday’s curried potatoes, with onions and cumin On a plate the size of a table, while watching TV Night Rider, Streethawk, Airwolf, The A-Team. Often a shopping trip, off to St. John’s, the same car park, the same parking space The same butcher and sports bag, filled up with meat. Then the nut stall for peanuts to take to the cinema A movie, a double-bill, some snoring and a cola I sometimes wondered how much he had seen But that didn’t matter, at least we had been. Days spent in shorts, blue overalls for work Saturday nights, a dress suit, a dickie bow too “you can’t come in here, you’ve not the right shoes”. VIP treatment in nightclubs, a baarcardi & coke even a lift home for us, and a laugh & a joke. Even at fifty, the champ was still at it, cricket, table tennis, shooting more baskets. There was a lesson for teenagers in there somewhere, I thought. Dad’s pleasure in winning, despite how they fought, No one could beat my Wavertree Champion. An obsession with safety, or was it a curse? Especially with grandkids toddling around in the day. Socks on door handles to prevent bumping heads “See this tea? Be careful it’s hot!” From 6 feet away. A garden full of fuschias, apples and tomatoes A garage full of jam jars, full of screws and what else? If there was a Wavertree Champion for that…. A table tennis table with more lessons to give “Chop this side, chop that side” to a seven year old kid How to accept defeat, without throwing your bat, he’d never let you win, or anything like that. Humming a tune when he didn’t know the words Chipping in with a chorus, but not often a verse Quiet around strangers, but not amongst friends A shoulder to cry on, when some needed to mend There’s more, but it’s hard to reflect everything here A lifetime cannot be defined by a few years The Wavertree Champion, half said in jest The pink footie Echo, said it the best: “The Kingpin, Geoff Ashton” as I read with pride, “The Greatest Amateur Centre-Half on Merseyside.”

Thoughts and memories of our dear friend Geoff - beautifully put into words by Barb Davis (Robinson) Love Mick & Nina xx He was an electrician at Unilever, a fun job but a pretty hard slog All the lads had nicknames then, and his was ‘Ash - the Red Dog’ Out of work a Tuxedo Warrior, and we always knew the score There’d never be any trouble in clubs, with Ashey on the door Whenever fights broke out, in clubs in Liverpool town He’d always resort to talking, to calm situations down But when talking didn’t work, his tough side would shine through And after an Ashey beating, you never came back for round two!! When he met the lovely Jill, he had found the love of his life And it wasn’t very long after, that he wanted to make her his wife He had the lads Howard and David, and grandchildren that he adored Scarlet, Abe, Bramm and Cooper, after retirement he was never bored In sport he was a fierce competitor, he had a passion for it in his heart But he always played only to win, he never played just to take part He was an inspiration to youngsters, to encourage them was his aim Football, table-tennis, basket-ball, winning was the name of the game He always liked to travel too, went to the Far-East and the USA Camping trips and road trips, in fact anywhere to get away He liked nights out in Liverpool, with best friend Mick and the crew And though he went out with old friends, he always made some new New friends always took him to their heart, out on a drinking session For they marvelled at his courage, and he made a lasting impression And as the years kept rolling by, I think that Ashey soon found The lads had changed his name again from ‘Red Dog’ to ‘Greyhound’ There were other names for him too, quite funny it has to be said Ronnie McDonald was one, and Freddie Boswell from comedy Bread But no matter what we called him, he was such a loving loyal friend Non-judgemental, kindness itself, someone on whom you could depend And Jill such a big part of his life, she was his lover and best friend Supporting him through the dark times, there with him until the end Gave all of herself to caring for him, knew he was a simply amazing guy Her life so richly entwined with his, it’s so hard to say good-bye But for everyone who knew him, we know he’ll never really be gone He’ll always be carried in our hearts, and his memory will linger on So whenever we all feel sad, maybe feel a little down and blue We’ll just remember happier times, and smile when we think of you

Our thoughts and condolences to Jill and family at this time. Geoff was a great table tennis player and made the game look easy. Above all he was always a positive role model and he will be sadly missed by all of us. From teammates - Dave, Ian and Steve, and all Spinners club members.

Condolences to Geoff's family. Some great memories of playing along side Geoff for Newtonia, a fearless and talented footballer and a lovely lad. Rest in peace Geoff. Stan Chantler

Geoff So happy are we to have shared a small part of your life's journey. The times we spent together were happy, full of fun and laughter, the memories will be forever with us. You were a beautiful spirit Geoff, kind, warm and gentle. Although you are no longer with us, your memory will live with us for the rest of our days. Go gently. With much love Amanda & Bob xxx

Geoff was a mate for over 40 years. He was loyal, caring, thoughtful, approachable and always there to help with anything, all these qualities made him a great friend. We have a lifetime of memories from working day and night together, holidays with Nina & Jill and neighbours as well for many years. Even when his illness started to bring on darker days he would still knock on our door most days to check we were both ok, his big heart never faded. We will cherish the great memories of our time together. We have lost a man who was more family than friend and he has left a hole in our life that can never be filled. Mick & Nina xx

Thank you Ann. X Geoff By ‘Macca’ © 04/03/2021 I wish I could be there today to say my last ‘farewell’, To share my memories of you, a man I loved so well. Roy nicknamed you ‘The Big Red Dog’ in just his flippant style! With ginger locks and trimmed moustache, you knew how to beguile! Football was your choice of sport; in this you just excelled. The very best of Merseyside, a title you beheld. Trophies won with accolades adorned your happy home, And Roy, your brother helped you win, the crown that was your throne. Formidable in stature, yet gentle as a lamb, No fool would dare to challenge you, most cowards tried – then ran. I loved to hear you conversate, your glass always half-full, Your smile lit up a thousand halls, your life was never dull. Roy and I rejoiced the day you told us you’re in love, Jill the girl that you betrothed, became your treasured dove. And David was her only son, became a friend to Howard, A family unit once again, with many blessings showered. It broke our hearts to see you trapped within a closing mind. We watched in pain as memories you once had, would decline. Yet still we held on to the love you gave to everyone, A husband, dad and brother, a friend a true ASHTON. Those memories will linger on now you are with the LORD. And if you play with angels Geoff, we’ll know when you have scored! For memories that make us smile will assail us now and then. Our love, our loss, our noblest pal, the best of all great men.

Geoff By ‘Macca’ © 04/03/2021 (Roy's Former Wife - Anne) I wish I could be there today to say my last ‘farewell’, To share my memories of you, a man I loved so well. Roy nicknamed you ‘The Big Red Dog’ in just his flippant style! With ginger locks and trimmed mustache, you knew how to beguile! Football was your choice of sport; in this you just excelled. The very best of Merseyside, a title you beheld. Trophies won with accolades adorned your happy home, And Roy, your brother helped you win, the crown that was your throne. Formidable in stature, yet gentle as a lamb, No fool would dare to challenge you, most cowards tried – then ran! I loved to hear you conversate, your glass always half-full, Your smile lit up a thousand halls, your life was never dull. Roy and I rejoiced the day you told us you’re in love, Jill the girl that you betrothed, became your treasured dove. And David was her only son, became a friend to Howard, A family unit once again, with many blessings showered. It broke our hearts to see you trapped within a closing mind. We watched in pain as memories you once had, would decline. Yet still we held on to the love you gave to everyone, A husband, dad and brother, a friend a true ASHTON. Those memories will linger on now you are with the LORD. And if you play with angels Geoff, we’ll know when you have scored! For memories that make us smile will assail us now and then. Our love, our loss, our noblest pal, the best of all great men. RIP forever Geoff x

Thank you for setting up this memorial to Geoff. We hope that you find it a positive experience developing the site and that it becomes a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.

I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was.