" Repsects paid at funeral of officer Simon Insole "
Wed Sep 26, 2012 7:00 pm
Repsects paid at funeral of Cardiff City football intelligence officer Simon Insole
By Simon GaskellSep 26 2012
Funeral service for former Police football liason officer, Simon Joseph Insole, at Llandaff Cathedral.
Respects have been paid to football intelligence officer Simon Insole at his funeral at Llandaff Cathedral.
There was standing room only inside the church while outside mourners spilled onto the cathedral steps up to half an hour before the service started.
Football intelligence officers from clubs all around the UK attended the service, which was also heavily attended by representatives of South Wales Police and Cardiff City FC.
Mr Insole worked for South Wales Police for 30 years until his retirement last year and as a football intelligence officer kept Cardiff City and Wales fans safe at matches home and abroad.
Following his retirement from South Wales Police last year, Mr Insole was safety and security adviser for Wembley National Stadium during the London Olympics this summer.
He then took up an offer to join Cardiff City Football Club as Deputy Safety Officer.
A eulogy to Mr Insole by his ex-police colleagues Richie Weber and Huw Smart said they were “privileged to have worked with Simon” and described him as “someone who made you laugh”.
Meanwhile many remarked on how Mr Insole had helped thousands of supporters over the years and helped restore the image of Cardiff City Football Club.
It was Mr Insole’s work which contributed to the club being named Family Club of the Year in 2010, they said.
Vince Alm, of Cardiff City Supporters’ Club, said Mr Insole was “one of the best” police intelligence officers he had ever met.
He said it was his ability to empathise with supporters which meant he could “cross both sides” and maintain his professionalism as an officer while connecting with real fans.
Mr Alm said: “I knew him from 1995 when he bought the house on a development I was site manager of.
“He was probably one of the best out of them all. He was fair and had a job to do. He was able to cross both sides. Sometimes, being a football fan, it’s very difficult to always have a relationship with police.
“He was able to cross that . I think it was because he was a supporter himself and played sport. I always called him an old fashioned copper. He was one that gave you a chance.”
Mr Alm described Mr Insole as “one the nicest people” he’d met.
He said: “He would always help you and wouldn’t see you in trouble and a couple of times, supporters would be in trouble and he came and helped them, you know.
“We have had officers in the past who have just let them get on with it but he would come in and help and fight our corner.”
Cardiff City fans paid their respects to Mr Insole with a rousing applause ahead of their recent home match with Leeds United.
They had given Mr Insole a similar reception when he was presented with a signed shirt on the pitch ahead of a match against Bristol City when he had retired.
Tim Hartley, of the Cardiff City Supporters Trust, described Mr Insole as a “true gentleman”.
He said: “He helped me, my family, wife and son, not only with Cardiff City but when we went abroad to follow Wales.
“The club has made such great strides over the years, and has rid itself of a bad reputation.
“Simon has played a big part in that. He was a true gentleman and an excellent policeman.”
Mr Insole died aged 49 after collapsing while with his family on the beach at Barry Island.
He was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Heath, Cardiff, but was later pronounced dead.
Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z27bUzmYOj
By Simon GaskellSep 26 2012
Funeral service for former Police football liason officer, Simon Joseph Insole, at Llandaff Cathedral.
Respects have been paid to football intelligence officer Simon Insole at his funeral at Llandaff Cathedral.
There was standing room only inside the church while outside mourners spilled onto the cathedral steps up to half an hour before the service started.
Football intelligence officers from clubs all around the UK attended the service, which was also heavily attended by representatives of South Wales Police and Cardiff City FC.
Mr Insole worked for South Wales Police for 30 years until his retirement last year and as a football intelligence officer kept Cardiff City and Wales fans safe at matches home and abroad.
Following his retirement from South Wales Police last year, Mr Insole was safety and security adviser for Wembley National Stadium during the London Olympics this summer.
He then took up an offer to join Cardiff City Football Club as Deputy Safety Officer.
A eulogy to Mr Insole by his ex-police colleagues Richie Weber and Huw Smart said they were “privileged to have worked with Simon” and described him as “someone who made you laugh”.
Meanwhile many remarked on how Mr Insole had helped thousands of supporters over the years and helped restore the image of Cardiff City Football Club.
It was Mr Insole’s work which contributed to the club being named Family Club of the Year in 2010, they said.
Vince Alm, of Cardiff City Supporters’ Club, said Mr Insole was “one of the best” police intelligence officers he had ever met.
He said it was his ability to empathise with supporters which meant he could “cross both sides” and maintain his professionalism as an officer while connecting with real fans.
Mr Alm said: “I knew him from 1995 when he bought the house on a development I was site manager of.
“He was probably one of the best out of them all. He was fair and had a job to do. He was able to cross both sides. Sometimes, being a football fan, it’s very difficult to always have a relationship with police.
“He was able to cross that . I think it was because he was a supporter himself and played sport. I always called him an old fashioned copper. He was one that gave you a chance.”
Mr Alm described Mr Insole as “one the nicest people” he’d met.
He said: “He would always help you and wouldn’t see you in trouble and a couple of times, supporters would be in trouble and he came and helped them, you know.
“We have had officers in the past who have just let them get on with it but he would come in and help and fight our corner.”
Cardiff City fans paid their respects to Mr Insole with a rousing applause ahead of their recent home match with Leeds United.
They had given Mr Insole a similar reception when he was presented with a signed shirt on the pitch ahead of a match against Bristol City when he had retired.
Tim Hartley, of the Cardiff City Supporters Trust, described Mr Insole as a “true gentleman”.
He said: “He helped me, my family, wife and son, not only with Cardiff City but when we went abroad to follow Wales.
“The club has made such great strides over the years, and has rid itself of a bad reputation.
“Simon has played a big part in that. He was a true gentleman and an excellent policeman.”
Mr Insole died aged 49 after collapsing while with his family on the beach at Barry Island.
He was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Heath, Cardiff, but was later pronounced dead.
Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z27bUzmYOj
Re: " Repsects paid at funeral of officer Simon Insole "
Wed Sep 26, 2012 7:05 pm
Simon was one in a million, the Police force had a man who was respected and friends to everyone, from all walks of life.
Listening to Simons life today, I was very proud to have known him. RIP.
Listening to Simons life today, I was very proud to have known him. RIP.
Re: " Repsects paid at funeral of officer Simon Insole "
Wed Sep 26, 2012 7:48 pm
R.I.P Simon
Re: " Repsects paid at funeral of officer Simon Insole "
Wed Sep 26, 2012 8:06 pm
It was an emotional day and a fitting tribute to Simon that so many people attended, he deserved that and so much more...I will not forget him....may he rest in peace.
Re: " Repsects paid at funeral of officer Simon Insole "
Wed Sep 26, 2012 8:08 pm
A genuine guy in and out of uniform
RIP Simon
RIP Simon
Re: " Repsects paid at funeral of officer Simon Insole "
Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:39 pm
Keep myself to myself down the city but I remember over the years there was a bald copper that always responded to "copper do the Ayatollah, copper do the Ayatollah" used to walk around the pitch was this Simon? If not is he still down the city?
RIP
RIP
Re: " Repsects paid at funeral of officer Simon Insole "
Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:51 pm
yes spoofer that was Simon
Re: " Repsects paid at funeral of officer Simon Insole "
Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:55 pm
corky wrote:yes spoofer that was Simon
Fair play he seemed the only one who didn't treat us like cattle - was a legend RIP
Re: " Repsects paid at funeral of officer Simon Insole "
Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:39 am
Simon will be sorely missed by so many people.
RIP Simon
RIP Simon
Re: " Repsects paid at funeral of officer Simon Insole "
Thu Sep 27, 2012 1:36 pm
It was my privilage to say farewell to Simon.......just about made it.....was stood in the doorway such was the attendance.
Nice people DO win at the end othe day. Simon was a NICE person, a genuine helper, a caring guy. I knew him well enough without being too close but can honestly say, he will be remembered!
RIP Simon.
PS......it was quite funny seeing all the bent nosed baldies who Simon was policing all those years, packing the Cathedral
Nice people DO win at the end othe day. Simon was a NICE person, a genuine helper, a caring guy. I knew him well enough without being too close but can honestly say, he will be remembered!
RIP Simon.
PS......it was quite funny seeing all the bent nosed baldies who Simon was policing all those years, packing the Cathedral
Re: " Repsects paid at funeral of officer Simon Insole "
Thu Sep 27, 2012 2:05 pm
Simon was prob the only copper, the vast majority of us all (incl. football lads) have ever accepted. Says it all...
RIP Simon
RIP Simon