Pike, Alan - Derby newsagent and TT fanatic

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One of Derby’s great characters, Alan Pike, a former newsagent and motorcycle racing fan, died at his home in the Isle of Man in 2008. His old friends from Derby have been paying tribute to the man who always had a smile and a joke for everyone. Pat Parkin reports

Former Derby newsagent Alan Pike with his wife Lillian

Twenty years after he left Derby to make his home in the Isle of Man, Alan Pike was still warmly remembered by many of his old friends.

Alan, who ran newsagents’ shops around the city, died, aged 73, at his home in Braddon, near Douglas in April 2008.

Known to many as Bones or Pikey, Alan was born in Littleover and went to live in the Isle of Man because of his love of TT motor racing. He ran the Quarterbridge Stores on the TT course and later had a post office and general stores in Douglas.

His great friend for 58 years, John Cooper of Allestree, who was six times British road racing champion, said: “He was a lovely chap, a real fun man, and will be greatly missed by friends and business associates both here in Derby and on the Isle of Man.

“He loved motorcycle racing and did trialling and scrambling himself as a young chap. He took part in lots of events at local venues and used to go with me to many of my races. I took him to the Manx TT a couple of times when I was competing and he became hooked.

“That’s why he eventually went over there to live.”

As a young man, Alan used to help his mother to run their shop in Village Street, Normanton, before going into business on his own account. He first worked as a painter and decorator and, in the early days of John Cooper’s motorcycling career, used to paint his competition numbers on his machines.

He later ran newsagents shops in London Road and Normanton Road, Derby, and at Alvaston. Though he left his home town, he returned regularly to meet up with family and friends and go to Derby County games.

A lifelong supporter of the Rams, he was friendly with many of the players and managers and, for some years, was a vice-president of the club. Another friend, Danny Rodgers, of Ashbourne, who ran pubs around Derbyshire for many years, said: “He was one of life’s real characters. He had a great sense of humour and always liked to keep in touch with old friends.

“Wherever he was, he kept people laughing. When he used to go out for an early-evening drink with associates and friends on the Isle of Man, the local judge, who was one of them, would tell him: ‘If you came up in front of me, I’d lock you up for life’. I thought the world of him, and it will be difficult to come to terms with his death. He will be greatly missed by everyone.”

During one of his early visits to the IoM, Alan was thrilled when John Cooper introduced him to his old adversary and friend, Giacomo Agustini, the 13 times world champion. The two became firm friends.

Agustini, who continues to return to the TT races, these days as a spectator, was often a guest at his home and would sometimes leave one of his racing machines in Pikey’s garage.

Alan left a widow, Lilian, a son who lives in Wales, and a daughter in Belper, four stepchildren and several grandchildren.

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