Pete McGreal - a proud, rebellious Red remembered

It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of FC United fan Pete McGreal. Pete died in hospital on 25 June 2011, four days after being involved in a collision with a lorry as he cycled to work. He was just 44 and leaves a daughter Ailidh and a partner, Mandy.

Pete, who worked as a graphic designer at London Metropolitan University where he was also a Unison trade union rep, was a brilliant dad, a soul-mate, brother, uncle and cherished friend to all those who knew him. He was also a football fanatical, Smiths-loving, left-leaning, life-enhancing, precious and beautiful man - one of life’s fighters, who did not do standing on the sidelines.

Andy Walsh General Manager, Football Club United of Manchester, who knew Pete for many years, said: “Pete was a red, a proud rebellious red. He was part of the successful campaign to stop Rupert Murdoch taking over United in the late nineties and supported the anti-Glazer campaign seven years later.

"When those efforts failed to stop the Glazer family taking over the club, he joined other like-minded Reds and threw his support behind FC United of Manchester. His passion for Manchester United did not diminish. His love of football did not change; he simply withdrew his financial support from the Glazers’ ’business’ and fought for an alternative."

Pete will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all those who knew him.

His funeral is on Thursday 14 July at 12.30pm at Epping Forest Burial Park, Kiln Road, North Weald, Epping, Essex CM16 6AD. www.woodlandburialparks.co.uk. Nearest tube: Epping, Central Line. And afterwards at The Sir Alfred Hitchcock, 147 Whipps Cross Road, London E11 1NP. www.siralfredhitchcock.com. Nearest tube: Leytonstone, Central Line.

All friends are welcome. The event will be a celebration of Pete’s life so dress accordingly. No flowers please. Donations in Pete’s memory if desired to Royal London HEMS Air Ambulance Service www.londonsairambulance.com.

By Andy Walker