Everyone at LOFT was saddened to hear recently of the sudden death of former East London MP Tony Banks. Tony had given up some of his spare time during Euro 2004 to speak at LOFT's Summer Special, and contributed much to a lively and entertaining meeting.
Speaking shortly after his death was announced, LOFT's chair Doug Harper recalled:
"He was a passionate football fan and helped to develop the trust movement with the Football Task Force.
"On a personal note, I had a right go at him, for what I thought was him going against his ethics when Abramovich took over at Chelsea. I rang his office and told him that he was a hypocrite!
"He contacted me and told me (in no uncertain terms) that I was wrong, and 'how dare I accuse him of such a thing'. Within two months, I got him to speak at a LOFT meeting (I had to apologise to him in public for my accusations though!).
"He was (as I have said) a passionate and honest man, who loved East London. I was hoping to invite him again, and was looking forward to hearing his opinions on London 2012.
"I for one will miss him deeply."
Register for updates: