Pals wear masks of late friend's face at football match to honor him

A group of football-mad pals paid tribute to their late mate by wearing masks of his face to a match he would have loved.

York City fan Steve McVeighty - known as Raz - died aged 61 last year, but his friends made sure he was still there to celebrate the Minstermen's win on Easter Monday.

The group traveled from the Isle of Man to York City's LNER Community Stadium - all donning giant cut-out masks of Raz's face, with a cardboard version of him in tow.

They watched as York beat Altrincham 2-1 - with pals saying it felt like their mate was right there with them.

Martin Brunnschweiler, 66, who helped organize the trip, said: "We thought we'd try to inject a bit of humour into the trip."

Raz, originally from York but raised on the Isle of Man, had followed the club home and away for decades - becoming a familiar face among fans.

So when his mates turned up wearing masks of him, locals instantly recognized who they were honoring.

Brunnschweiler said: "It was amazing how many people in York knew Raz.

"He'd been coming over to York all his life, he used to come to as many home and away games as he could, he was pretty well-known at the club."

He added: "It was a lovely day - Steve would have loved it."

The tribute took on a twist of fate when York's winning goal came deep into stoppage time - scored by number four Malachi Fagan-Walcott.

Brunnschweiler said: "Raz had this huge affinity with the number four because that was the position he used to play when he played himself.

"And low and behold, it was the number four who scored the winning goal in the 97th minute. It couldn't have worked out better."

During the emotional trip, the group also scattered some of Raz's ashes at the old Bootham Crescent site - the club's former home.

Steve died from a heart attack at a music festival in Blackpool on July 5, 2025.

Brunnschweiler, describing him as a "kind man" who was "very thoughtful", said: "It was a huge shock to everyone on the island."

He added: "He'd always champion the underdog, which is probably one of the reasons he stuck with York City over the years.

"He is hugely missed but never forgotten."

Away from football, Raz was involved in music and backed up-and-coming bands across the country.

His love of goth and punk even inspired a beer named after him, Goth IPA, brewed by pals on the island.

He worked at Tesco as a "trolley man", where he became known for helping elderly shoppers - a kindness reflected in the huge turnout at his funeral.

Brunnschweiler said: "The funeral was led by a load of punks initially but then behind them were all these old ladies and other people who knew him. It was amazing."

The post Pals wear masks of late friend’s face at football match to honor him appeared first on Talker.

Talker News

This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 9:50 AM.