Paul, you were a friend for almost half a century since we met in our first year at university. We continued to see one another at occasional social gatherings ever since. I loved your dry sense of humour, socialist passion and unwavering support of the football team from the less fashionable side of Stanley Park. Oh, and I will be forever grateful to you for introducing me to the delights of Black Country ale in the 1980s. RIP my friend.