As Brentford fans mourned the fan who manned a turnstile at Griffin Park for 40 years Bees United asked that the death of BU member Howard ‘Bill the Fish’ Billings should be remembered at the next home game, which was against Brighton, with applause on the 76th minute.
BIAS supported the request and Brentford FC agreed. In addition the club prepared a plaque to put in place above one of the turnstiles in the North Stand.They included a short piece in the match-day programme for the Brighton game and reached out to Howard’s family to invite them to the game. They also prepared a graphic to inform fans of the forthcoming tribute.
Other fan groups gave their support and the Griffin Park Grapevine tweeted a picture of Howard with Brentford owner Matthew Benham which was taken outside Griffin Park after our victory over Preston in April 2014 which guaranteed promotion to the Championship.
https://twitter.com/bfcgpg/status/1578331606976077825
Before the game Howard’s family were invited to see the special plaque which the club had placed above a Griffin Park turnstile salvaged from New Road. It now stands in the North Stand of the GTech Stadium near blocks N126 and N125. Howard was a season ticket holder in the North Stand.The photo contains from left to right, Howard’s son Crispin, daughter Sarah, his grand-daughter Nicolette and family friends Mick and Jimmy. It is hoped that in due course Howard’s wife will be able to visit.
Photographs by Sophie McGill
Howard’s daughter Sarah sent us this message to all Bees fans: “We have been overwhelmed by the love shown for Dad, during this incredibly difficult time. We would like to thank everyone involved in arranging all the tributes, it has really given us comfort.”
During the game against Brighton the applause for Howard started promptly on the 76th minute even before the special graphic appeared on the giant screens.
It was shown live on Sky and when BBC Match of the Day showed highlights of Brentford’s 2-0 victory later they included the tribute and the GPG posted a video clip.
https://twitter.com/bfcgpg/status/1581431504080498688
On the GPG message board there were many posts appreciating what was done to remember ‘Bill the Fish’, Owlsmoor Bee posting: ‘A really good outcome after some very positive dialogue between the Club, BU and BIAS. A fitting tributes to someone who was a big part of the Brentford family’.