Tributes have been paid as community campaigner Barrington Patterson, known as One Eyed Baz, died of a heart attack. The huge Birmingham City fan and former fighter, who turned his life around after being involved in football hooliganism as a younger man, died this morning, March 22, aged 56.
He was known across the Midlands for his hard work to tackle homelessness and just days ago shared some of his anti-knife crime work across social media. His devoted wife Tracey posted on Twitter this morning that he had suffered a heart attack.
She tweeted: "At 6am this morning my beloved husband had a massive heart attack. Paramedics worked for over an hour to save him unfortunately it wasn’t to be our hearts are broken." In October 1999, Barrington made his debut in mixed martial arts.
During his years as a professional kickboxer he fought across the globe including in Japan and the USA and retired after seven fights. The ex-kickboxer and reformed football hooligan became a charity worker and homeless volunteer in his retirement.
In 2006, Barrington shot to fame after he was featured in the television documentary The Real Football Factories. He also appeared in TV series Danny Dyer’s Deadliest Men, penned a best-seller and appeared in the film “Meet The Guvnors” alongside David Essex.
Alongside wife Tracey, he set up Birmingham's Homeless Support Team (BHST) after witnessing a school friend sleeping rough on the streets. He was also a leading light behind an anti-knife campaign. Messages and tributes have poured in since his wife's announcement on Twitter.
Cass Pennant, an author and friend of Mr Patterson, tweeted: 'With great sorrow I come here to confirm I have lost my good friend and big-hearted Zulu warrior Barrington Patterson aka One-Eyed Baz this morning, a life to celebrate but right now my heart weeps for his loved ones.' Football player Jude Bellingham also tweeted saying 'Sorry for your loss Tracey, RIP Baz.'
Barrington's wife Tracey Patterson was one victim terrorised by internet troll Natasha Dawn, 43, in screenshots shared with Nottinghamshire Live, Mrs Patterson was told "we have your address" and told she would "punch her in her f******* face". In messages littered with highly racist language, Tracey was even told "You won't be waking up tomorrow". She along with her husband, were tormented with a barrage of messages and calls sent to Mrs Patterson's phone by Dawn. Dawn was sentenced to three years' imprisonment.
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