Alex V - A personal obituary

[Billy Blagg]

This is such a bizarre post that only the 21st Century could throw it up.

Today, I learned the devastatingly sad news about someone I never met, but someone who changed my life significantly. Not a pop star or an actor whom I admired or remembered from years ago, but a normal soul who affected me in a very profound way by giving me an opportunity I might never have otherwise had.

I discovered today that Alex Van der Weyer had passed away suddenly last month. He was only 52, and I'd 'known' him since 1998, yet we never met. It could be easily argued that I never really knew him at all. Yet to me, he was a friend and colleague, a confidante and someone I 'spoke' to regularly - at one stage at least daily - via email for a good many years. Although I never met AlexV, however, he touched my life and, by definition, my family in so many ways.

As you'll know, Alex was the founder and Editor of this website initially called 'Bashing the Bishop',  later called the 'Ironworks', the latter gave me my first break on the internet. The Ironworks was later renamed WestHamOnline, of course.

I discovered the Ironworks, as, being in IT (I worked on Prestel, the forerunner of the WWW), I was on the web within months of it taking off. I saw the early growth of the new websites, discovered the rise of the internet-based football fan areas and found that Alex was looking for people who could write about West Ham. As a WHU fanatic and a frustrated writer who'd had a few things published, I hoped I might find a voice on this new medium.

Alex gave me that opportunity, and I wrote my first-ever column as Billy Blagg. I found it hard to write as 'me' for some reason, and it was my wife who came up with the name change. Once she'd suggested I try writing as Billy, everything fell into place, and it changed my life completely. My first BB column slagged off Pini Zahavi over Rio Ferdinand's new contract. That's one for the teenagers.

Within five years, the column had taken off. I had written a book - Alex provided the foreword (which oddly I re-read just before Christmas) - and was writing for Soccernet (later ESPN, which actually paid me, giving me a second career) and the local Guardian newspaper. I never gave up on WHO, though; it was my home, and I contributed a column whenever I could, right up until 2018 when I lost my wife. Despite this, WHO is still the only place I visit.

Bizarrely, as is the way of things on the Internet, although Alex gave me an opportunity and another career (his wife drew some early Blagg representations too), we could have passed in the street, and I'd not have known it. Nonetheless, this has hit me really hard.

These internet friend obituaries are a difficult thing to do. You can't take a 'sorry for your loss' as I've not lost anyone I really knew, but I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank AlexV for the platform and second career he gave me.

My thoughts are with Alex's family, particularly Jo and his daughter

RIP Alex, mate. I won't forget you.

[Gank]

Yeah, well done Billy. You've made a tribute thread to a bloke I met and you didn't entirely about yourself.

[Mickey Rat]

Bloody hell, not "young" Alex, what awful news!  Nice Eulogy Billy, Alex was always a voice of reason and moderation in what could sometimes become a bit of a pit bull sea of bitterness, but this thread shows how many decent, considerate and funny buggers are still on here.

RIP Alex 

[hammer205]

A very touching tribute and as you say it’s strange the people we often share personal thoughts with but never actually meet! 
I think I’ve been on WHO since maybe 98/99 or 2000 but it was amazing in the beginning. The absolute go to site for everything football and non football related 

RIP Alex you United a lot of people 

[only1billybonds]

That was a nice heart warming read Mr Blagg, kind words indeed.

Funny thing this website, its meant more to a lot of people than they may want to admit. I found this place around 2002/3 and didn't post for ages, just read other people's stuff and found it informative,funny and reasonably intelligent at times. Think we've all taken different things at different times from being on here and its been a real value most of the time. Friendships have been formed and help has been given to those in need at times wether it be sound advice or financial help.
I recently went through a very genuine health scare and it was a very frightening time for me and my Mrs. A couple of posters kept in touch as they remembered i'd mentioned i was struggling with what was thought to be a chest infection. Iv'e never met either of these lads and chances are i never will but the lift they gave me when i was at my most vulnerable is something i'll always remember. 
If I was asked to give an example of what made WHO what it was, I'd struggle to find a better example of the instance I just gave. Chances are I'll disagree with one or the other of these blokes on something and possibly get called a cսnt but it'll be a friendly cunting and nothing personal. That's the beauty of this place for me.

[happygilmore]

Lovely tribute Billy.

Likewise, I've felt a deep sadness to news of the passing of fellow WHO members,  also people I've never  actually mentioned 

I think for me, it's a unique experience to WHO, the feeling of genuine emotion to people only known anonamously 

Maybe WHU is quiet a decent place behind it all. And it's thanks to Alex V that we have made these connections

[Shandyboy]

I remember Alex very well from when I first joined. RIP to the creator of this community!!!

[Manuel]

As said, a nice genuine piece, BB.

That's the thing with death it's so final that sometimes you can almost refuse to accept that person is no longer here and that you will never see or hear from then again and sometimes even if you never even knew them, Bonzo as a recent example. We've all been there and it's just a very strange 'thing' even more so when they aren't of a certain age.

[Russ of the BML]

Lovely piece, Billy. Heartfelt and genuine. 

I think it sums up alot of what we all feel. I have been on WHO since around 96-97 I think. Have seen so many usernames come and go. And I very much enjoyed your posts all those years ago. Weird thing is, I read about Alex's sad passing, and it made me realise what a big part of my life WHO has been. 

I have often found myself coming back from a holiday abroad with no internet (late 90's / early 00's) and the first thing I needed to do was the get on WHO and see what was being discussed. During, the rare times of elation and success, I have often been driving to work and compiling my thoughts ready to deliver them onto WHO. And, sadly, more often than not, my frustrations. 

WHO has acted as a conduit for all of my West Ham love, hate and feelings and thoughts. A platform for all of us to vent and debate and, for many, just provide an outlet to like minded people. 

We all need to thank Alex for that - Even though we never really knew him. 

 

[easthammer]

As you say, Billy, obituaries are tricky things. Today, I was at a funeral, an event that, at my age, is more regular than it once was. I left thinking about what was said, not just the content but also the style. I contemplated what my loved ones would say about me, and it would be noted with the appropriate mix of solemnity and self-deprecating humour for which I am famous (at least in my own head). 

I thought about who could be trusted with getting it right, so I briefly toyed with the idea of writing it myself and appending it to my will. But sanity quickly usurped vanity, and I thought, sod it, let them say what they want, I won't hear it. Its purpose is to make those remaining feel better.

For me, your words written here did that. Not so much easing the sad news of Alex V's passing, because despite being on here for about 24 years I didn't ever meet or really know the man. But, yet your post reminded me of the common shared experiences of humanity that can be found from time to time on this site. Well done.

 

[BRANDED]

Well. That’s life. Embrace it all

[kylay]

It is a strange world we inhabit, Billy, particularly here in WHO land. You were my first introduction to west ham fandom through your soccernet writing which ultimately led me here, and I also don't go anywhere else. It's very strange to feel the loss of someone you have never met, and it's happened on this with me several times. I'd argue it's one of the redeeming qualities of the internet (and WHO) that we can feel such connection and loss around a person we've never laid eyes on or even heard their voice. It's a very touching tribute. Thanks for sharing. 

[Mad Dog]

Ive got that book.  Great read (even if im only in it once)

Nice work there blagg

[Leonard Hatred]

I shall dig out my copy of NOGS this evening. 

[Mex Martillo]

Nice one Billy. I liked reading about the early days.
Cup of tea suggested a tribute on the site at the top and Stubbo liked the idea, but wanted a writer?
Could be quotes like Nightmare on Green Street?
​​​​Thanks

[Sir Alf]

Heartfelt and well articulated post Billy.  I’ve also been on this site since 97/98 and used to read “Bashing the Bishop” so can identify with a lot of you’re sentiments/reflections

[MaryMillingtonsGhost]

A lovely, heartfelt piece Billy.

[mallard]

Nice piece Billy, I recently found ‘Nightmare on Green Street’ in my loft, I’m going to re-read it for the nostalgia 

[Jasnik]

Nice one Billy.

[Fortunes Hiding]

What a great read, and im not going to lie, it’s got me emotional.

i have been on WHO very early,,,, 1999 or 2000? When did it start? 

Living in the West Midlands, I didn’t know any West Ham fans, so WHO allowed me to
1. get access to tickets
 2. meet other West Ham fans. 

im not sure how many people I’ve met through WHO, but I’ve had some great times. 

There are a lot of friends I have made through WHO, and for that I am grateful. 

RIP Alex.


 

[El Scorchio]

That is extremely touching and a lovely bit of writing sir. I'm sorry you've lost a friend.