Sculpture unveiled in memory of Don Lock

In July 2015, Don Lock was killed in an unprovoked knife attack at the age of 79, just two weeks after being given the all-clear from prostate cancer.

Luke Nicoli

2021-11-02T05:00:00Z

The Albion was also a big passion in Don’s life, having first attended games with his father in the early Fifties, before bringing Andrew into the fold, where they were both regulars at the Goldstone, Withdean and the Amex.

Don, an ardent Albion fan since the 1950s and season-ticket holder at the Amex, was also a keen cyclist and member of the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club, where he raced competitively well into his seventies.

When Don was killed, there was an overwhelming expression of shock, but also a drive to raise funds for a memorial – not just from local people in his home town of Worthing, but from across the country and abroad.

Many people started making donations, fundraising events were held, and a large donation from the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club – of which Don was also a committee member – culminated in the creation of a sculpture that was unveiled last Saturday, on the promenade adjacent to the new Bayside development on Worthing seafront.

It was an emotional unveiling for Don’s family and friends but also a proud moment as son Andrew – also an Albion season-ticket holder – explained.

“It was wonderful to see so many people turn out on a wet and windy morning to see the sculpture for the first time. Friends, family, former work colleagues and many cyclists came to see it.

“On behalf of the family, I would like to thank everyone for the amazing support we have received through such a difficult time, including the Albion and I hope that this sculpture will provide inspiration for many people, for many years.

The sculpture was unveiled on Saturday.

“I try and avoid referring to it as a memorial. It’s a commemorative sculpture built to encourage people to get out and enjoy life – just like dad did. Cycling was a very big part of his life, throughout his whole life, and he loved getting out there in the fresh air, in the countryside and making friendships along the way.”

“As soon as the new stadium was ready, we both got season-tickets,” Andrew recalled. “Sadly, dad never got to see us in the Premier League but my mate Terry, a converted Leeds fan, has taken his seat, which is something he would have wanted – he would have wanted me to carry on going to games.

“The season after his death, we got promoted, which is what dad was dreaming of. He was getting excited at the direction in which the club was heading and the thought of us playing the big clubs. If I could wind the clock back to that point and tell him that, just six years later, we’d be coming back from 2-0 down to beat the champions Manchester City or level up at 2-2 at Anfield, he’d just laugh at me!

“Dad would be in cloud cuckoo land now but I’m convinced he’s still with us. I quite often look up at the roof opposite, especially when we’re in need of some extra help on the pitch, and there’s a lone seagull sitting there. As far as I’m concerned that’s dad.”

Andrew won the James Brynin Fan of the Season award in 2017, for the way he held his family together in such awful and tragic circumstances, and is forever grateful for the support shown by the Albion family since Don’s passing.

“The fans were tremendous at the time and so was the club,” Andrew added. “Dad was Albion through and through and he would have been taken aback by the support shown to his family.”