Following Forest was family affair for devoted fan
REDS SUPPORTER LOSES HIS BATTLE WITH CANCER AT 48
THE heartbroken brother of a Nottingham Forest fan who died of prostate cancer says his “best friend” will be remembered for always being willing to help anyone.
Lifelong supporter Nigel Wagstaff died peacefully in hospice care on May 4, surrounded by his wife and oldest son.
In December, the 48-year-old was given the devastating news he had only up to six months left to live.
His brother Paul Wagstaff said Nigel was his “best friend” who would have been his best man when he ties the knot with fiancee Julie Banner.
“He was very, very witty and cheeky at times,” said Paul, 50, who lives in Chesterfield.
“A very good sense of humour, quite dry.
“He was outgoing and he would always help anyone; he had that personality if someone needed help he would be there.
“He was very, very generous with his time – he has helped me out in lots and lots of ways over the years.
“He was very, very practical – not just that he has supported me through my divorce.
“I am with a new partner, with her I am as happy as I have been for a long time.
“The day when I get married I would have had Nigel as my best man – that is something that will not happen. “Now he will be there in spirit.” After he was diagnosed in March 2017, the cancer spread to his lymph nodes, hip, shoulder, back, chest and liver.
Nigel had chemotherapy and a number of blood transfusions.
Paul, a Toyota inspector, said: “He was on a lot of medication.
“He never really told us he was in pain. He was protecting his family. He never complained.”
Nigel, a welder, leaves behind his wife Joanne Brough Wagstaff and sons Elliott, 23, and Tyler, 19.
Paul said his brother, who lived in Chesterfield, was a “massive Forest fan” whose passion for the club ran through his “blood and in his veins”.
The pair and their dad David, 74, shared happy memories of once-regular trips cheering the club on at Wembley.
They were in the capital when the Reds under Brian Clough lost 2-1 to Tottenham in the 1991 FA Cup final.
“Three or four years in a row we went to Wembley,” said Paul.
“They are the matches that will stick in the memory.”
In line with coronavirus regulations, and with the help of the club, Paul, Elliott and Tyler were able to leave a Forest shirt belonging to Nigel on his former seat in the upper tier of the Trent End last week.
Paul said this was a “very emotional” occasion.
The shirt stayed in position for the Preston match and has since been collected by the family.
Nigel’s mum Kathleen Wagstaff, 74, of Inkersall, Chesterfield, said: “We gave him a good childhood, I was looking back through all the old photographs and got really upset.”
She said she was “getting through day by day, hour by hour”, adding: “It’s really hard, we have no choice – we have to get through it.”
Guests to Nigel’s funeral on May 20 will wear Forest shirts with “Wag, 1” or “Nigel, 1” on the back.
A spokesman for the club said: “Everybody at Nottingham Forest is saddened to hear of the passing of our long-standing and loyal supporter, Nigel Wagstaff.
“Our thoughts are with Joanne, Nigel’s wife, and his sons, Elliott and Tyler, and all of the Wagstaff family.”