Michael Beever
1957 - 2011

It was with shock and great sadness that Chelsea DSA were recently informed of the death of committee member Michael Beever. Michael suffered heart failure and passed away in April; aged 53. Michael had an older brother and 2 younger sisters and leaves 2 daughters.

Michael was born in Wimbledon, moved to Raynes Park when he was 10, and then back to Wimbledon in 1996. His first job was as an apprentice Glazier with a London firm called Clark & Eaton. He obtained a qualification from them in Glazing and he stayed in the glazing business all his life.

He played football for a team called The Beverley. His love for Chelsea began when he was a small boy and in the 70’s and 80’s he would watch matches from the Shed terrace.

In 1996 he lost his leg due to a deep vain thrombosis he got flying aboard an aeroplane. He did not let his disability stop him from doing things and his love for Chelsea never waned. Michael travelled both near and far to watch his beloved blues. In this country it would be White Hart Lane or Old Trafford, and in Spain and Italy he would follow the team in the Champions League. He joined the first CDSA committee when we were formed in February 2006 and he served successfully for the set 2 year period. He applied again after 2 years and was selected to serve again.

In 2007 he became a season ticket holder. He used to sit in the East Stand to watch matches and then moved to the West Stand where he watched the games for the last 8 years of his life with his daughter Michaella as his Personal Assistant.

He had a Zest for life despite his disability. He loved organising social events, was, for a long time social committee member of Raynes Park Social Club, where he organised day trips to the seaside, weekends to the Isle of Wight, theme nights, discos and trips to the races. He holidayed abroad including trips to Las Vegas. He joined 'Amputees in Action' and took part in training exercises with the army, which included him being air-lifted by helicopter, as a casualty in a mock up war zone.

Michael will be missed greatly by his 2 daughters, other family, friends, all his fellow Chelsea fans that knew him and everyone here at the Chelsea Disabled Supporters Association.