AN open-air graveside burial was held for one of Wellington’s finest ever sportsman, Mick Gough, at the local cemetery last Friday.

Mick, 70, who had been living at Milverton for some years, died suddenly on Saturday, September 12, after a long illness.

The service was attended by his former partner Fiona McLaren, his two grown-up sons, Karl and Shaun, and a number of friends, former players and members of Wellington Football Club, with social distancing being observed.

Mick was one of the most talented players to play football for Wellington, and was also a good cricketer, skittler, pool and table tennis player. He was also a great lover of nature.

Mourners were told by Helen Roberts, of Hillside Ceremonies: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways in a cloud of smoke, Bacardi & Coke in one hand, Solero in the other, totally worn out and screaming: ‘Wow! What a ride! I wanna go round again.”