EYG devastated by sudden death of Pete Skipper at age of 61

24th April 2019

EVERYONE at EYG is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our trade sales consultant Pete Skipper, who died after suffering a stroke over the Easter weekend.

Pete, 61, had been with EYG since 2011 and played key role within our trade sales department alongside manager Tim Hotte.

As many will know, Pete played more than 300 times for Hull City in two spells with the club. The Tigers won two promotions in that time, helping him gain legendary status with the club’s fans.

Tributes have already poured in today from his former footballing colleagues and those who watched him play.

And Mr Hotte, himself a former Hull City player, says everyone at EYG is upset to have lost a true gentleman and very popular work colleague.

“We are all absolutely devastated,” he said. “I was the one who convinced him to join me at EYG eight years ago having known him from our Hull City days. All of his qualities as a footballer he brought to business.

“He’d had some years in the pub game at The National and Grafton, and then working in insurance, which he wasn’t enjoying.

“I asked him to come and work with me and I am so glad I did. Like his football, he gave 100 per cent to everything he did.

“The tributes will flow for Pete the footballer, but his success at City and his legendary status wasn’t something he’d choose to bring up at work.

“I’d say to customers ‘you know who that is don’t you?’ – that’s Pete Skipper, he played hundreds of games for City and he’s a legend. When I said that people would all say what a great player he was – it was like everybody knew him.

“Pete was understated about his footballing past, he just got on with the job. He was an old-school footballer – not like the kids of today who play a couple of games and think they’ve made it.”

During his years at EYG, Mr Skipper looked after trade customers and was responsible for building contacts with prospective new ones. He was responsible for pricing jobs and handling contracts for all trade enquiries, more recently managing a new trade showroom in Scarborough.

“I’ve had a message from a customer this morning who has heard the news and said how Pete has looked after them superbly, has always been there for them and never once let them down,” added Mr Hotte.

“That was Pete. He cared and gave 100 per cent in everything he did, but always with a positive outlook on life and a helpful manner.

“I always used to call him ‘laid back Charlie’ as he was so chilled out and calm.

“He was just a wonderful person to be around. We will all miss him massively. The trade sales team is very close, and we all have a love of sport – we have Hull FC fans, Hull KR fans and of course our links to City.

“When we come in on a Monday morning we’ll always have 20 minutes or so talking about the weekend’s sports results and what it means, and Pete would be at the heart of that.

“Most of all we’ll miss a lovely man. If there were ever any tensions at work he’d be the ice-breaker and the one to put a smile on people’s faces. He helped steer a happy ship.

“I am sure it will be standing room only at his funeral as so many people will want to pay their respects. From football to business he had made so many friends – so many in fact they could fill Wembley.”

Nick Ward, joint managing director of EYG Group, said: “We are all in a state of shock at this very sad news. Pete was so popular with all of the team at EYG. He was a complete team player, somebody who gave his best whatever was asked of him and somebody you could 100 per cent rely upon at all times.

“Our sincere condolences go to Pete’s family, in particular his wife Helen and three children Katy, Richard and Amy. He will be a massive loss to everybody that knew and loved him.”