It's just the most heartbreaking tragedy of a family man who leaves behind a wife and three children.
Michael Dye was assaulted and died outside the turnstiles of Wembley Stadium. The police arrested and bailed six Welsh fans at the time but the search for Mikey's attacker goes on.
Some of the national media have been hugely disrespectful and have made the situation out to be a Cardiff/Swansea battle when it was nothing of the sort. They have branded Michael a 'hooligan' for actions 25 or more years ago. All this within 24 hours of his death. They have printed blatant lies and unthruths to make their stories a bit more provocative.
Sensationalist claptrap with no sympathy for the family of a very popular and well respected Cardiff City supporter.
Shirts,flags and flowers have been placed on the Ninian Park gates outside Cardiff City Stadium.
Michael Dye was 44 years of age. One year younger than me. We played football together 30 years ago. It has hit home hard. My children are young adults, like his.
Football fans from all over the UK have shared the grief. A collection has been organised to help Michael's family with the financial burden their loss will bring. Please contribute:
Please read the following comments:
The Tragic Loss of a Loyal Bluebird
The tragic news of Michael Dye’s (left) untimely death following an incident outside Wembley Stadium last night has come as a bitter blow to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Lifelong Cardiff fan Mikey was a popular character who will be greatly missed by his family and friends.Despite having been on nodding terms for decades, Mike and I weren’t properly introduced until an away game at Charlton in November 2007, after which our paths crossed at City matches on many more occasions. Although we never got to know each other well, Mike would often make a point of saying hello and having a chat whenever he spotted me at games. He was a sociable lad who always seemed to have a smile on his face and a joke or a story to tell.
Mikey and I were the same age and although our backgrounds differed, we had plenty in common. We both became Cardiff City fans while we were youngsters; we both supported the Bluebirds home and away throughout the Eighties and Nineties while the club was at its lowest ebb; we both witnessed the team’s improved fortunes in recent times; indeed, Mike and his family were sitting just a couple of rows behind me during the FA Cup final in 2008; we both organised transport for away matches and we made many mutual friends through football over the years.
Back in the days when City were attracting tiny crowds in the lower divisions of the Football League, Mikey developed friendships with a number of the Whitchurch-based supporters who nowadays travel to away games on my coaches. One of the lads was heading down to the Cardiff City Stadium earlier this evening to put a tribute on the old Ninian Park gates on behalf of the CF14 Blues.
The most fitting personal tribute I can pay Mikey is to say he was someone who never failed to make me smile or laugh whenever I spoke to him. He was very well-liked amongst City’s support and always seemed to have time for everyone he encountered. His death at the age of 44 is a genuine tragedy.
I’d like to offer my sincere condolences to Mike’s partner Nathalie, his children and all of his family and friends.
Rest in peace, Mikey. It’s an honour to have known you.
Tim Hartley, chairman of the Trust made the following statement following the tragic death of Bluebirds fan Mikey Dye before the England v Wales game at Wembley on Tuesday night.
Tim, who was at the England-Wales match, said: “Fans are absolutely stunned. Mikey’s death is a tragedy for football and, more importantly, for his family and friends, and all Bluebirds fans are thinking of them. Mikey was well known for supporting Cardiff City and Wales at home and abroad. No one should ever fail to come home from a football match.”
We’ve also received the following email offering sincere condolences from the Swans’ Trust:
Hi Tim
I just wanted to drop you a short note to pass on the condolences of Swans Trust on behalf of all our members for the tragic and senseless loss of Mikey Day at the England v Wales game yesterday evening.
It is a sad world when someone goes to a football match to support his country and is denied the opportunity to come home in such a tragic way.
The thoughts of Swans fans everywhere are without a doubt this morning with the friends and family of Mikey and this is extended to the whole Cardiff City family who will feel sadness at the events.
Kind Regards
Phil
Phil Sumbler
Chairman, Swansea City Supporters’ Trust