Alison Seabeck MP

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MICHAEL FOOT

MICHAEL FOOT, who died yesterday at the age of 96, was the father of modern Plymouth.

Alison Seabeck, Labour MP for Plymouth Devonport, said: "The thing that struck me was his passion for people, politics and football.  He was a lovely man and everybody who knew him will miss him."
As MP for Devonport from 1945 to 1955, he fought at Westminster for materials to rebuild the blitzed centre of Plymouth, where his father was Lord Mayor after the Second World War.
Mr Foot died shortly before 7am yesterday at his home in Hampstead, north London. He had been ill for some time and had been receiving 24-hour care.
Tributes poured in from all over Plymouth for the man whose love of the Labour Party was matched only by his love of Plymouth Argyle Football Club. Argyle chairman Sir Roy Gardner said: "It is with great sadness that the club learnt of the death of Michael Foot.
"Michael was a highly valued director of the club, helping to pave the way for the success Argyle has enjoyed since 2001.
"Much more than that, he was a much-loved member of the Green Army, who stood on the terraces in the days of legends like Sammy Black and Jack Leslie. Michael will be fondly remembered and sadly missed. To the Green Army, he was simply a fellow Pilgrim."
The club's players will wear black armbands at Saturday's Coca-Cola Championship game against Preston North End.
Tudor Evans, the Labour group leader on Plymouth City Council, said: "He was one of the fathers of modern Plymouth, and he was the patriarch. It was him and Aneurin Bevan [Labour Health Minister] who sorted out the materials to get the city rebuilt after the war.
"This city should be in mourning with his passing because he leaves an incredible void. He spoke the truth and didn't flinch from that."
"He will be well remembered."
Former Argyle director Peter Jones brought Mr Foot on to the Argyle board in 2001 when Dan McCauley was bought out.
"He was a very effective and useful member of the board until 2005, in spite of his age," Mr Jones said. "He had endless experience and could take a 'helicopter' view."
When Mr Foot turned 90, the board had him registered with the Football League as a player and gave him an Argyle shirt with his name and the number 90.
Argyle deputy chairman Paul Stapleton said: "He had a fantastic brain and a sharp wit. His passion for Plymouth was great. He said to me, 'Paul, we've got to get into the premiership before I peg it.