It is with great sadness that I bring you news of the passing of one of our most treasured posters, the knowledgeable, eloquent, and humorous El Barbudo (Geoff Pearson).

After a long battle against cancer, Geoff sadly passed away earlier this month at Overgate Hospice in Elland.

Many were privileged to know Geoff through his posting on Southstander.com and the Sin Bin, although some of us were lucky enough to spend time with Geoff and Gill and can be honoured to count Geoff amongst our friends.

Geoff will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and all who crossed literary swords with him (usually losing) on these forums. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

If anyone would like to make a donation in Geoff's memory then please do so to [url=http://www.overgatehospice.org.uk/Overgate Hospice[/url.

Next time you are at a game, please raise a glass in his memory.



[size=150Rest in Peace Geoff, we'll miss you.[/size

[i[size=85Also posted on SouthStander.com.[/size[/i

Sad to hear that...........

So sorry to learn this. Condolences to family and friends. RIP El Barbudo.

We didn't always agree on the politics but I respected his thoughtful and sincere comments. R.I.P. El Barbudo.

There are few people in life who, when the slip off this mortal coil, I can look back and say "I'm bloody glad I met him/her". It was only a couple of times but I am bloody glad I met Geoff, it helped put a face to the posts I enjoyed so much.

Rest easy mate

Very sad news.

Rest in peace El Barbudo.

A Gentleman and a Scholar, my abiding memory of him is of sitting in the sun outside a bar in Perpignan for the exhibition game against London in 2005, we spent all afternoon there chatting and laughing and when the bill came for the beers it was in excess of 200 euros THEN we went for food



The best compliment I can ever pay anyone is when you spend your first five minutes with them and you think you've known them all your life - that was Geoff, his online persona wasn't an online persona, it was him, open, honest and full of humour, a nice bloke, my sincere condolences to Gill.

Sad news.
RIP and all the best to his family.

I had no idea. Sorry to hear this, sad news.

Blimey. Gobsmacked.

Likewise, I had no idea. Always found myself agreeing with him on here and always knew there'd be a good viewpoint when I read his posts.

Condolences to friends and family. RIP

Never met him, but one of the best and most sensible chaps on these boards. If a copy of this thread is to find its way to his family, my sincere condolences and RIP El Barbudo. A proper gent.