Steve’s epic final farewell
A PERSONALISED lorry and 30 motocross riders marked the spectacular funeral of Nottingham Forest fan Steve Brough – whose dying wish to watch the Reds one last time gripped the hearts of football fans far and wide.
Mr Brough went on trips with friends he used to motocross with – they even went to the Pyrenees – so the riders followed the hearse and the lorry to the service at Amber Valley Memorial Park and Crematorium, Swanwick.
Steve’s son Josh Brough said his dad’s friend Ryan Colson helped arrange the tribute.
Mr Brough used to run his own haulage business and “lived for trucking”.
Before the funeral, Josh, 27, said: “It’s a fitting tribute. They’re going to have when my dad died on the back of it as well and the year he was born, 1969 until 2021. It’s a Renault Magnum. It’s exactly what my dad had.
“My dad used to have a little quote above his window – it said ‘living the dream.’ He even had that put on it as well.
“We’re going to be stopping, to take my dad out of the hearse to put him on the top of the lorry – he’s doing the last bit of the journey on the back of the lorry. The lorry’s going to reverse back into the crematorium.”
Guests were asked to wear football shirts or bright colours.
“Whenever you saw my dad he was just in jeans, T-shirts or he was in joggers,” said Josh, who lives in Derby Road, Heanor, and works at a coronavirus testing centre in Chaddesden.
“He was never in smart gear. He just said ‘I don’t want everyone to get smart just for one day for me.’
“I’m wearing a Forest shirt that he bought me.
“Even the celebrant who’s doing the service – he’s wearing a Madness T-shirt. My dad was a massive Madness fan. It’s a celebration – we’re going to be remembering him for the right reasons.”
Mr Brough lived in Holmesfield Drive, Heanor. He also leaves behind wife Amira, son Lewis, 21, and his grandchildren.
Josh wrote a poem for the service and the wake was at Heanor Town Football Club.
Lorry driver Mr Brough died peacefully in hospital on April 20. He was 52,
Diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, he was told he had just weeks to live.
Josh said: “We’re all doing well, a lot better than what I expected but it’s not easy to accept.
“My mum’s really upset, obviously. She’s devastated but I’m being really strong for her and my little brother is as well.”
Mr Brough’s brother Mick Eames, 56, of Alvaston, Derby, said: “It’s sending him on his final journey, just to remember the happy times with him.
“It’s good to see that people have made the effort to come out for him – even in these times with Covid.
“I just struggle without him. He has been a big part of my life, I have got a lot of good memories with him that I will treasure forever.”
Mr Brough had hoped to watch the Reds one last time at the City Ground but efforts to make it happen were unsuccessful. The club made a request to the Government, via the EFL, to permit Mr Brough entry. But the request was turned down.