John Wile: I've never heard anyone say anything against Cyrille Regis
Every time John Wile saw Cyrille Regis, he told his former team-mate he looked good enough to still be playing now.
That’s why the news of his sudden death left his former captain stunned. But Wile’s lasting memories of Regis are not of muscles, but of kindness and compassion.
“I’ve heard lots of tributes and you do hear lots about people when they die and you think ‘yeah well I’m sure he was an ok person, you would say that when you’re asked,’” said Wile.
“But I tell you what, everything is 100 per cent true about Cyrille. You wouldn’t wish to meet a nicer person, forget that he was a tremendous footballer, he was just a lovely human being.
“He had time for everyone, he would help you with anything and he was so modest given his achievements.
“I’ve never heard anybody say anything against him, and I’ve never heard Cyrille say anything against anyone else.
“Like everyone, I’m just incredibly shocked that we’ve lost him because it was only two weeks ago that I saw him and as I always say to him when I see him, ‘you look fit enough to play tomorrow’.
“He always looked well, healthy and fit and he had that lovely demeanour about him.
“I just couldn’t believe it. Everybody is absolutely devastated. He was just an absolute gentleman. It’s a real sorry day.”
Wile's full tribute will be in tomorrow's eight-page Express & Star special on Regis's life, career, and impact on the game.
