I became friends with Pieman in 2006 when I first began my blogging career. He sent me an email to introduce himself and inform me that he too had the same hobby, and like myself, was sharing his football travels on the internet. He also joined the 100FgC as Squad no.31. We shared blog links and ever since have taken a keen interest in each other's football travels.
We met for the first time in December 2006 in The Bodega in Newcastle for a pre-match bevvy, prior to his beloved Spurs taking on the Toon. When I arrived at the pub, he introduced himself with a handshake and a pint of ale waiting for me on the table. This meeting became a regular event over the years, with the Newcastle v Tottenham fixture being one of the first games I looked for when the fixtures were released.
Anyone who knows Steve will be aware of his dedication and devotion to Tottenham Hotspur FC. He never missed a match home or away and abroad, going back through the decades, which makes him not just one of the club's most loyal supporters, but their number one fan.
I'll miss our regular real ale get-togethers and reading about his love of football. It was just last week he traveled with Harlow Town to Cirencester, which turned out to be his last match and final blog report, which I still haven't read as I'm too upset to do so at the moment.
Steve lived his life to the full through his love of football, in particular visiting previously uncharted football grounds and following Spurs all over Europe. His fantastic blog Pie & Mushy Peaswill serve as a legacy to his life and his untimely passing will be a huge miss throughout the Grounhoppers community.
R.I.P.