In loving memory of Michael "Mick" William Northwood who sadly passed away on 24th June 2025.
Mick was born in 1947 to parents Emmie & Jack, growing up just off the Walworth Rd & Old Kent Rd in post war Britain. The middle child, with big brother Jack (years older and Terry 5 years younger). Mick had a lovely childhood wanting for nothing. He loved hop-picking in the summer, playing or watching football and made lifelong friends.
He followed his dad & older brother into the print, enjoying a great career at a number of different print companies and in a totally union based industry, gradually became more & more involved in the union, standing up for what he believed was right.
In 1962, Mick met the love of his life, beautiful Tina. They were together over 50 years, until her passing in 2018. Theirs was a great love and partnership and Mick always said that everything he achieved was not possible without Tina, her support and the big role she played. They had two children, Anthony & Paul, and enjoyed a lovely family life together.
Mick was a big family man. He greatly missed the family days of the 60s to the 80s with the Christmas grand present opening, drinking & singing in the Lord Nelson pub, on holiday abroad or in the Clacton caravan or at his Mum & Dad’s seemingly weekly parties! But Mick had new roles now as a father-in-law to Maria who he loved like a daughter and as Dad Dad to his princess Penny & best buddy Alex. Christmas came alive for him again and on holidays he would spend hours in the sea with them or building sandcastles. He adored them and loved watching them grow into the lovely young people they are today.
Mick had a few passions in his life, Tina obviously and he was mad about the Beatles. But you can’t talk about Mick though without talking about his love of football and the impact that had on his life. He followed his local team Millwall but also had a big big passion for Manchester United.
As a player he was in his words a cultured left footed midfielder and he wore his shirt in exactly the same way as his idol, United’s Denis Law, with the cuffs over the knuckles.
Mick joined Long Lane Junior Football Club in 1983 as a coach, before starting & managing Anthony’s football team in 1984 as an U11s team. He managed them all the way through to 2007 and also managed four girls/ladies teams spanning 23 years. In total he coached for over 40 years, coaching over 200 players and managing his teams in over 1400 games.
At the point of losing his print job in 1993 and now with more time on his hands, Mick with Tina and other great volunteers at the club, identified and set about realising the potential of a disused playing field in Kidbrooke, as a permanent home for Long Lane’s numerous teams.
Mick transferred his personality, gift of the gab, passion, and sheer drive & tenacity into the club overcoming so many obstacles and in those years since, the club has raised £3million and become the biggest junior football club in the South East with fantastic sporting facilities.
Mick bravely fought cancer four times and like Tina, battled so hard and courageously until the very end.
Mick was a much loved son, brother, uncle, cousin, Dad, Dad Dad, father-in-law, friend to many, trade union champion and grass roots football hero.
We miss you and you will never be forgotten ❤️.
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