Richard Healey RIP

Deeply saddened to read of the untimely death of Richard Healey, the founder of the Baggies Barge.

Richard started the Baggies Barge a few years ago when a mate noted how it would be quicker to get to the The Hawthorns, home of West Bromwich Albion, from Birmingham City Centre by boat rather than by car.

For selected matches, Richard operated a boat, complete with beer but no Liquidator ;-), from Brindleyplace to Smethwick, just a few hundred yards from the ground. On several occasions, such was its speed, the boat was offered a place in the Albion's back four.

Of course, at some early stage, red tape contrived to stop the operation, presumably HSE concerns and on one trip he was barely able to land his passengers at Smethwick. But the service was revived and became a big feature of the day out for many Albion fans. I don't recall it ever being taken to Broad Street Bridge for away matches though - that would have been something!

My thoughts are with his family, but I know the spirit of the Baggies Barge will certainly live on as his legacy.