Tributes to Bernie, the City super-fan
SUPPORTERS’ SADNESS AS THEY RECALL CHARACTER
A WELL-KNOWN Leicester City fan, known for his painted face, jester’s hat and long walks to and from games has died in his care home.
Bernie Henson was a popular character both at home games and on the days out for away matches - many of which he used to walk to from his home in Quorn, even well past retirement age.
He was known to walk to away games in Derby and even, once, Sheffield.
The Foxes Talk web forum was full of tributes after Bernie’s carer, Simon Marlow, announced the octogenarian had died at his Loughborough care home.
Simon wrote on the forum: “It is with deepest regret that I must inform all Bernie’s friends that Bernie passed away peacefully in his sleep at his care home last night. Rest in peace old friend.”
One friend wrote: “RIP Bernie. I have great memories of bumping into you at many games both home and away over the years and one thing no one could deny was your passion for the club.
“It really has been a terrible couple of weeks for some amazing Foxes fans. I really hope the club does something to remember those we’ve lost in the last couple of weeks.”
His death follows that of teenage Leicester City fan George FranksHerbert, who died earlier this month at a Bristol nightclub. And in late January another life-long City fan, Martin Lowe, died at the age of 65.
One fan wrote: “Seems like he was one thing that was a constant in my entire time supporting the club.”
Another wrote: “Was nice to see him find the care and solace he needed for his final few years and I guess passing away peacefully in your sleep would be the choice of many. RIP. Not many characters like him about these days.”
Bernie had been delighted to see City win the Premier League in 2016 and then lift the FA Cup last year.
At the age of 87 last May, Bernie was upset to be unable to be at Wembley to watch City win the FA Cup due to his health concerns and the pandemic.
He had secured a ticket to the final after Simon set up a Facebook campaign “Get Bernie to Wembley”.
But his care home made a decision that the journey and long day would be too much for their frail resident.
However, Simon pledged to make the day extra-special in any case, promising that if Bernie couldn’t go to Wembley, he and his family would “bring Wembley to Bernie”, decking out his living room to give him the “true Wembley experience”.