Ipswich football 'fanatic' dies after terminal brain tumour

Harriet Heywood & Connor Bennett - BBC News, Suffolk
Steve Kirby and Gary Battle standing in the Sir Bobby Robson stand ahead of an Ipswich Town game. Both wearing Ipswich Town clothing
Steve Kirby (left) and Gary Battle have become friends in recent years, and even refer to each other as "football brothers" [Steve Kirby]

A devoted football fan who had a stage-four terminal brain tumour has died.

Tributes have been paid to Gary Battle, 52, of Lowestoft, Suffolk, whose bucket list dream of watching Ipswich Town from an executive suite, came true in January.

Steve Kirby, his "football brother", suggested a minute applause for his friend at Portman Road.

He said it honoured Gary and added: "He did like being centre of attention so he would be loving it".

Nina and Gary Battle, alongside Steve Kirby pitch side at Portman Road, all wearing their Ipswich Town replica kits.
Mr Kirby described Nina, Gary's wife as the "life and soul of the section that we sit in" [Steve Kirby]

Mr Kirby, 52, who lives near Maldon, Essex, launched an appeal to help Mr Battle achieve his dream of watching his favourite team from the Sir Bobby Robson Suite at Portman Road.

Nearly 200 donors raised enough money for the supporter to tick it off his bucket list of Ipswich wishes.

Mr Battle, who had undergone 15 rounds of radiation therapy since his diagnosis in September 2022, died on Friday.

Steve Kirby and Gary pitch side in the Sir Bobby Robson stand at Portman Road
Mr Kirby praised the "togetherness" of Ipswich fans, but also fans of rival clubs, who have contributed to Mr Battle's dream [Steve Kirby]

Mr Kirby said: "Nina [Gary's wife] said quite recently that he was just a kind and caring man and that was so incredibly true. Gary was always happy knowing his friends and family were too.

"He loved football and Ipswich was his passion. Gary had a dream day in the Bobby Robson suite...despite the result he had an amazing day in which it turned out to be the last game he went to.

"Nina has been at his side whilst he had a spell in hospital afterwards and since then cared for him whilst he was on palatine care. He had regular visits from family and friends amongst which several of his football family from D4 section."

He added that Mr Battle had asked for football shirts to be worn at his funeral and donations to be made to St Elizabeth Hospice and the Ipswich Town FC foundation, instead of flowers

A spokesperson from the club said a graphic would be put on the screen during the 52nd minute on matchday following Mr Battles death.

Gary Battle in a shirt and tie, having his picture taken with Ipswich Town's Wes Burns at the club's training ground
Mr Battle met his idol, Ipswich Town's Welsh international winger Wes Burns, and described him as a "really sweet person" [Steve Kirby]

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