Die-hard Leeds fan 'would have had five-word message' as fundraiser nets £10k

James ‘Ingo’ English, 57, from Armthorpe in Doncaster, is thought to have suffered a heart attack after getting out of bed for work at around 5am on Monday, August 31. The construction firm contract manager was a father-of-two and grandfather-of-one.

Ingo was a “die-hard Leeds fan” who travelled to every match, home and away, for more than 30 years. His son Lucas has spoken of how his football friends, particularly those of the Donny Whites, became like a “family” to them. His friend Gary Smith set up a crowdfunder to support the family with funeral costs.

Speaking about the crowdfunder’s success, Lucas said: “It goes to prove that my dad’s football friends are like a family. It’s bitter-sweet, you feel horrible taking away people’s money, with the times we’re in now. In the same sense, my dad was first person to put money into anybody else’s and organise other people’s fundraisers.”

Funeral plans have not yet been confirmed but there was a celebration of his life at The Hallcross Pub on Saturday, September 5. Lucas has said if his dad knew the generosity people had shown, he’d have one concise message for his family.

Lucas said: “Every single one of his mates has been around every day. We’ve had a house full of 50 people every day. On a nighttime, and you close your eyes, it’s nice. I know exactly what my dad would say, ‘Give it to somebody else!’ All he ever did was help other people.”

You can support the crowdfunder, here.