TRIBUTES have been paid to a Hartlepool United fanatic who has died.
Hartlepool father-of-five Robert Garrington died on December 1 after a long battle with cancer. He was 46.
Robert was a dedicated Hartlepool United fan who followed his team home and away. His match-day ritual always included betting 2-1 on a Pools win and eating a cheeseburger.
Family and friends attended his funeral at Stranton Grange Crematorium Chapel decked in Pools shirts. A wreath was also given by Pools’ Director of Sport, Chris Turner.
Robert’s brother, Barry, said: “He would like to be remembered as a good family man.
“When Pools played Darlington a few weeks ago, he was ill and was starting to look ill, but he said he was not going to miss the match. All his thoughts were on getting to the football match.”
Robert, who was a carer for his children, was known as Toothless on internet football chat rooms, and was known by many local football fans.
A group of Darlington supporters donated a bunch of flowers after hearing about his death.
His son Mark said: “The day before he died, all he was thinking about was the Pools match on the Saturday. Anyone who met him instantly liked him.”
Robert, from Bowness Close, leaves behind his wife Caroline, 33, children Robert, 27, Mark, 25, Jamie, 12, Rebecca, 11 and Craig, seven, mother Doreen, and siblings Barry, 45, Paul, 42, Peter, 36, Jill, 34 and Lynda Caygill, 43.