Nigel Edwin Weston

Love for sport, especially your hometown sport, grows stronger when you live away from those home shores for 24 years. It epitomised Nigel's life.

Born in Birkenhead into a generations-old family of Evertonians his first visits to Goodison were when he was 9 years old, watching Bob Latchford score 30 goals in a season, sat on a barrier peering over the standing adults in the Goodison Road stand with various older brothers.

His was a cricketing family and Nigel played with his father and three older brothers from the moment he could stand up. He played Club cricket for Anselmians from the age of 11, and regularly at a County level as a teenager (Wirral, Cheshire, South-West Lancashire). It was on and off the pitch with Anselmians however that the greatest memories live on. To play sport with such a close set of friends is rare indeed. Humour was commonplace, and Nigel was a key instigator of it.

As a rugby player, Nigel played on the wing for the Wallasey Consortium team and after leaving school for New Brighton RFC. He attended St Anselm's College and Henry Meoles School for his Sixth Form. Nigel then attended Sheffield University and achieved a degree in Estate Management. Despite his passion for the subject, and a brief spell working for Mason Owen after qualifying he was not destined to go down that path.

Nigel had first visited the USA when he was 18. It was the first of many visits as he worked as a Soccer Coach for the next years in Texas. He moved to live in Houston in 1993. Not surprisingly he immediately met a like-minded group of ex-pats playing football for Houston United. The club was to become a second home for him and his friends. He organised and led a tour to England and Ireland, memorable times.

When played properly sport gives a code to live by. It certainly did that for Nigel. His large circle of close friends has that in common. It was the key to success as a businessman also. It was on that soccer pitch that Nigel was first introduced to the Wine business and began working for Glazer's Distributing. After 12 years as a distributor he transitioned into the world of supplier. He began working for Frederick Wildman and Sons as a regional manager and stayed with them until the end. Just as their name suggests they are a family oriented company and have stood beside Nigel during his 5-year battle with cancer. Their support was unwavering and Nigel loved his Wildman family. His work defined him and being able to contribute what he could was so important to his spirit and fight.

Nigel was a loving family man. Nigel is father to three beautiful children – Cameron 19, Annabelle 15 and Lily 6 and husband to Sandra. Everything that Nigel did, he did for his family. He was the cook and could often be seen in the kitchen running around cooking elaborate dinners for family or friends. Nigel loved to entertain and travel with his family. Just 2 months before his death Nigel travelled from Houston to Georgia by car to see his son graduate from the US Army. It was a very special day for them both. Nigel will be missed more than words can describe, but his memory will live on through all who knew him.