RIP Mo

[stevebone]

Terrible news I have just seen from the club - our Mo, aka oldfart, has died. Can't quite believe it. Condolences to his friends and family. The boardroom in the new stand sure won't be the same as the old one.

[BarryA]

Right now there's a queue at the pearly gates. Up at the front, St Peter is struggling to get a word in. Some bloke in a green-and-scarf is telling his story. He's up to the late 1960's - or was it the early 70's? That cup match at Abingdon - the night the coach broke down. The stories pour forth, the jokes get (even) worse and the (by now slightly dazed) recording angels are only vaguely aware they've bought tickets for next season's sponsor's draw. THEN, when he's good and ready, he'll go in. Rest in Peace, Mo.

[Dave Silk (ex shottermiller)]

So, so sad news. RIP Maurice. A friend to everyone.

[wilsonia]

Terribly sad news. He clearly cared very deeply about the club.

[Pete Helsby]

Aug 1, 2020 12:32:14 GMT 1 wilsonia said:

Terribly sad news. He clearly cared very deeply about the club.

At the moment l cant say anymore, just gutted. RIP good friend, RIP No more pain

[stuartcoles]

Desperately sad news.had many a good chat with mo especially at away games over the past 40+ years.will be sorely missed by everyone connected with the club and beyond.thoughts and prayers sent to your family.RIP my friend.

[westbank]

Very sad news,  RIP Maurice x

[dingle]

Maurice will be sorely missed in and around the club. I guessed there were health problems as his posts on this message board were few and far between over recent months.
He was synonymous with Bognor Regis Town FC and it is sad that as the club enters a new exciting period both on and off the pitch with a new stand etc. he wont be around to see it - not to mention his beloved Leeds United back in the Premier League after an absence of 16 years.

On a personal note I've known Maurice for 53 years. We both played for Bognor Regis Youth Club in the West Sussex League. In actual fact Maurice was quite a good player at that level playing a sort of 'Teddy Sheringham' role - not the quickest but with an excellent first touch and also good in the air with an eye for goal - he scored five once in a match at Petworth.

He seemed to know everyone in the town - I hardly knew anyone having just moved to the area - and on Saturday evenings could be found at Church Farm (the place to be in those days) enjoying himself.

When I covered Rocks' games for BBC Radio Sussex and Spirit FM, like both Peter and Simon, Maurice was always helpful and accommodating when I was faffing around wanting team news and a programme.

Just a thoroughly nice guy who will be missed by all.

[Rattlesnake]

There go our crap racing tips from now on. Mo was loyal, firm but funny, and a right old raconteur. Very sad to think I won't see that smile again as he joshes with you. RIP Mo and thanks.

[Rattlesnake]

Would anyone think it bad form if I paid for Mo's name to go on next season's shirt, if his name isn't already down and the fund scheme would allow it?

EDIT - Further to Pete's reply below, sorted. Maurice "Mo" Warner will be leading the frontline like he did for Bognor Regis Youth Club with his name on the shirt.

[Pete Helsby]

Aug 2, 2020 12:41:47 GMT 1 Rattlesnake said:

Would anyone think it bad form if I paid for Mo's name to go on next season's shirt, if his name isn't already down and the fund scheme would allow it?

Im sure they would be delighted to.

[simonc]

Aug 2, 2020 12:41:47 GMT 1 Rattlesnake said:

Would anyone think it bad form if I paid for Mo's name to go on next season's shirt, if his name isn't already down and the fund scheme would allow it?

EDIT - Further to Pete's reply below, sorted. Maurice "Mo" Warner will be leading the frontline like he did for Bognor Regis Youth Club with his name on the shirt.

Eddie,
A very kind gesture, but no need to worry about paying. We have already added Mo’s name to the shirt, together with a few others stalwarts that we have sadly lost in recent months
At least he will be with us in spirit next season!

My favourite memory of Mo was when I drove him to an away match at Eastbourne Town. I hadn’t been there before but Mo assured me he knew the way like the back of his hand, having been there many times in the past. He certainly did know the way, but unfortunately to Eastbourne United. We only realised his error after we had emptied all the kit out of the car and dragged it into the dressing room, much to the surprise of the home officials who had been expecting a County League side to arrive.

RIP Mo.
Simon

[gpman]

Mo was one of the first people I got to know at the club and made me feel at home.
Will be sadly missed by all. Here's to you Mo....RIP

[statto]

Simon’s story about driving to the wrong ground reminds me of the time when I turned up late with the kit at Histon, with Jack and the players giving me stern looks, wondering where I had been. A club official - who shall remain nameless - had for some reason printed out directions for.... nearby Cambridge City! No sat-navs back then.

Mo’s passing was very sad news to wake up to on Saturday morning. A very warm gentleman, and very humorous too - I shall miss his humour greatly. One role at the club that seems to have gone unmentioned is that he was also the programme editor for a number of years, a role I then took over when he moved to Canada.
We have sadly lost a number of great servants to the club within the last 12 months and Maurice is another BRTFC figure for whom it’s hard to imagine not seeing on match days at the Lane. Home matches he would of course be hosting sponsors and visitors in the boardroom, and what a great host he was too. Away matches he would take up his familiar place behind the goal - won’t be quite the same at away games anymore.
My sincere condolences go to Maurice’s family and I shall leave you with
one final story....
One morning he phoned me up and said: “You give me £75 and I’ll give you £925 - how does that sound?”
Of course it sounded like an offer too good to refuse so I agreed, to which he responded: “Excellent.... you’ve won the Executive Club jackpot and you’re also now a matchball sponsor” to which I could then hear him cackling to someone in the background “Ha ha ha I knew I’d get him” 😂

[leerobertsmedia]

I've seen a few posts about this wonderful gentleman, some of the stories on here made me laugh and showed what a great person he was.
You talk about characters in football well Mo was a real character. His stories and jokes in the boardroom will be missed, and the double act him and Jack made was funny to hear and watch.


As ive put elsewhere his username on rocks radio summed up is wit and sense of humour perfectly, Old Fart .

Mo you will be missed sir

RIP

[paphosroger]

Maurice was a gentleman and will be much
missed. I may be out of order but could consideration next given to the naming of the new stand after Mo?

[Rattlesnake]

Aug 3, 2020 13:19:32 GMT 1 paphosroger said:

Maurice was a gentleman and will be much
missed. I may be out of order but could consideration next given to the naming of the new stand after Mo?

Not out of order at all, Roger, as the idea's also been mentioned on Twitter.

[Irish Rock]

Sad news to wake up to.
I first met him in the 60's and he was green & white through and through even then as was his Dad Pop.
In the early 70's he ran the Redifusion shop @ the Arcade end of London Road and on a home match Saturday, John Boniface would drive me in his Mini around the town centre and I would use the tannoy we put on the roof to announce the game, Mo would always come out of the shop and give me the appropriate hand signal!

When my Dad was Match Secretary, he and Mo would have serious banter with the match officials which would then be retold to me over the following weeks - I was a Linesman in the Suburban League, and most of that leagues Officals also did the Isthmian.

I'd put money on him and my Dad. up there having a good old natter.