“I am absolutely heart-broken. He was a brilliant coach but also brilliant company. We remained great friends and it was an honour to know him. It has happened so quickly and someone who loved life and loved football will be a massive miss to everyone who knew him. My thoughts are with Suzy, Zach and the family at this incredibly sad moment.”
- Chris Wilder, who with Mickey guided Oxford United to promotion from the Conference in 2010
“It’s such sad news for Mick to be taken so early. We spent a lot of time together at Oxford and I came to know him well. He was a top bloke; honest, hard working, such fun. He will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace Mickey.”
- Mike Ford who played alongside Mickey for almost a decade at Oxford United
“So sad to hear the news. What a sad day this is for his family and all of us who knew him. My wife and I will always remember him from the time we spent with him and his kindness towards us when I first joined the club. RIP Mickey.”
- Phil Gilchrist, another former teammate
“He was an outstanding coach but also such a fantastic character. We all loved him and we send our love to his family”
- Jake Wright, one of countless players to work with Mick as coach
“Mickey was a great coach and servant to the club but football aside he was a great listener and mentor. He knew what to say and how to say it while maintaining honesty and integrity at all times. I will never forget him taking our warm ups around the cricket pitch while riding a knackered old bike: we never knew if it was his knees clicking or the bike braking! They were great times We knew he was struggling and like a lot of people I sent a message which he replied to straight away but if I could I would have jumped in the car and driven down to tell him in person how much he meant to us all. In fact I would have walked if I had to. One of the most genuine people I have ever met and we are going to miss him so much.”
- Former U's defender Mark Creighton
“I literally can’t believe it. Mick was such a great man, a great coach and one of football’s true gentlemen. We all loved his enthusiasm and passion for football and life. Everybody who knew him only had good things to say about him. We will miss that gruff voice and laugh. RIP my friend.”
- Former colleague Peter Rhoades-Brown
“It is just heart breaking and on behalf of the club we send all our love to Suzy and Zach. Mickey was a friend for life to everyone he met: one of the biggest hearts in football and genuinely brilliant company at all times. I never heard him speak ill of anybody, and nobody ever had a bad word to say about him. For the illness to take him so quickly is tragic but over the last week or so I know a lot of people have sent him messages so he knew how loved he was.”
- Chris Williams, Oxford United’s Communication Manager
“We’ve lost a friend, a colleague, a great guy and an amazing coach who was a mentor. It’s a sad day for everyone. There is loss and pain, but also pride because Mickey impacted so many of us. He has coached thousands of people. "It’s a terrible tragedy, but throughout his short illness Mickey was always – always – asking about how each and every one of the youngsters he was coaching was getting on. He adored coaching and the important thing is that Mickey’s legacy plays on. He will always be part of the Velocity Football programme.”
- Justin Merritt, director of Ignite Sport UK
“Mickey was an inspiration to me, not only as a player but as a coach, but most importantly as a friend. I will be forever grateful for everyone Mickey taught me.”
- Josh Ashby, Ignite Sport UK coach and Oxford City FC first team player
“Mickey inspired me so much and I’ll never forget everything he has done for me coaching and playing wise. I will always remember when I was 7 years old having Mickey as my coach at Peers School for Oxford United, he helped my love of football. I loved his laughter, impressions and brilliant stories.”
- Jack Tutton, Ignite Sport UK Coach
“Mickey was so much more than a colleague. He was a friend, an inspiration and someone I will always hold in the highest regard. It was always a pleasure to be in his company and our love goes to Suzanne and Zach.”
- Jordan Piper, Head of Football at Oxford City Junior and Youth
