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Club honours photographer who collapsed and died covering match for daily

A football club has paid tribute to a press photographer who died after falling ill while covering an away game for a regional daily last week.

Mick Cunningham, pictured below, collapsed at Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium during the 15th minute of their match against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday 26 September, which he was coveringwhere he was working for the Bournemouth Echo.

The father-of-one was taken ill pitchside and transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital before he passed away surrounded by his family just after 8am the following morning.

At the Cherries’ home game against Watford on Saturday, the first since Mick’s death, the club used a picture of Mick on the front page of its match day programme, which also contained several pages of tributes.

Mick-Cunningham.jpg-pwrt3Mick, 55, had undertaken freelance work for the Echo since 2013, and had previously provided pictures from AFC Bournemouth’s away fixtures for the newspaper while employed as the club’s official photographer.

He had spent almost 20 years in that capacity before being made redundant and was also a lifelong supporter of the club, who are nicknamed the Cherries.

The Stoke fixture was the first time Mick had worked a Bournemouth Premier League game, after the club were promoted to English football’s top division last season.

At Saturday’s match, supporters also held a minute’s applause on the game’s 55th minute, at which point a message and photograph was shown on the scoreboards at the club’s Dean Court ground.

Cherries manager Eddie Howe said: “Mick’s loss was so sudden and he will be greatly missed. On behalf of everyone at AFC Bournemouth, I would like to send our condolences to his family.

“When I was coming through the ranks, Mick was always there watching games and supporting us from the centre of excellence to the first team.

“He was a friendly face and a really genuine guy who would show a genuine interest in everybody. He gave everything to our football club. People like that are so important because they make you feel comfortable and appreciated.

“Mick had an incredible work ethic and dedication to his job. And he always did it with a smile on his face. It is such sad news.”

Echo deputy Editor Neil Meldrum said: “Mick was one of the old school – brimming with loyalty, good humour and dedication to his art. His was not a job – it was his life.

“When he woke up on Saturday morning, he would have been full of excitement about the day ahead. His first Premier League game for the Echo. He didn’t come home.

“But I hope he will look down, see his pictures from his final match and smile. For that was Mick all over.

“Thank you, Mick. We’ll miss you, mate.”

After leaving school in Bournemouth, Mick spent almost 16 years with the RAF as a supply manager before taking on a wide-ranging media role with the Cherries, which included editing the matchday programme, photographing games and interviewing players for the website.

He leaves 19-year-old son Liam, as well as his dad Ronald and two sisters, Lesley and Alison.

Echo photographer Corin Messer said: “I have never met anyone as kind or as genuinely selfless as Mick Cunningham and sadly I don’t think I am ever likely to meet anyone quite like him again.

“It is testament to his character that everyone who knew Mick felt that he was their close personal friend, everyone who knew Mick in some small way loved him.

“Thrown in with all the fun, Mick was also an incredibly talented and ultimately professional photographer. You always knew Mick was on form. No matter what the circumstances, Mick would deliver.

“His passion for the club was insurmountable and his pride in his son, Liam, was ultimate.

“Mick will live on in the hearts of all of the Echo photographers who ever worked alongside him. We adored him, idolised him and will mourn his loss forever more.

“Mick was, is, and always will be a legend, and we love him dearly.”

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  • October 5, 2015 at 9:50 am
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    Terribly sad – condolences to Mick’s nearest and dearest

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  • October 5, 2015 at 3:32 pm
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    I worked alongside Mick many many times during my 32 years photographing Hartlepool United. His love and passion for photography and Bournemouth FC was plain to see. Just as it to see how much of a nice man Mick was. My thoughts to his family.
    Be Brave, Be Strong
    My respect to you All
    Frank

    Frank Reid
    Images Editor
    NE Dailies Editorial
    Johnston Press
    @FrankReidJP

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