Leeds United fan Heinz Skyte who fled Nazis dies
- Published
A man who fled Nazi Germany and became a lifelong fan of Leeds United has died aged 99.
News of Heinz Skyte's death was disclosed by the club he had supported devotedly for 80 years.
Mr Skyte fled Hamburg weeks after Jewish businesses and synagogues were ransacked on Kristallnacht, the "Night of Broken Glass", in November 1938.
Shortly after arriving in Leeds in February 1939, Mr Skyte and his brother went to watch Leeds play Everton.
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The club said it learned of his death "with deep sadness".
Mr Skyte was given a club shirt and scarf at Elland Road on Saturday 14 December at the match against Cardiff City.
The club's chairman, Andrea Radrizzani, presented Mr Skyte with the gifts in a pitchside ceremony before the game.
During the ceremony Mr Skyte said it was "cold but nostalgic" to be back at Elland Road.
His son, Peter, said: "I feel very proud that he is being honoured and the club have done him proud and hopefully he has done the club proud, too."
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The late Mr Skyte is one of 16 Holocaust survivors and refugees whose stories feature in an exhibition at the Holocaust Exhibition and Learning Centre, based at Huddersfield University.
Here is Mr Skyte's story , externalas recorded by the centre.
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- Published14 December 2019
- Published6 September 2018