Still stunned!
 
I first played Mike when he was still a callow youth at Redcar.  Later, and this is still nearly 20 years ago, we shared an office in temporary (portacabin) accomodation at the place where I still work.  We generally had a game on the go on top of a filing cabinet.  In those days he was still beatable.  We developed a repertoire of derisory remarks to describe each others  play.  "You can not be serious - so you think you are ready to take on the might of the force - and my personal favourite - My opponent combines well....ugliness with stupidity!"  When you play someone regularly you become accustomed to their style of play.  One day, playing a game over lunch, I became increasingly incredulised (if that's not a word it should be) with some of his moves; unexpected and uncharacteristic.  At the end of the game, which I lost, he grinned broadly and produced the chess computer that he had secreted on a shelf under his desk.
 
His prowess at chess was not however mirrored on the golf course.  I don't think I've ever come across a worse slice!  So bad he would often aim 60^o to the left of his desired line.  This was fine except for those odd occasions when the ball flew low and straight......at golfers on a different hole!
 
I was surprised and pleased to find he was a member of the Griffen club when, after a lenghthy absence, I took up the game again last year.  As others have written he was equally generous and magnanimous  depending on the outcome of a game.  Earlier this year I played the rarely played norwegian gambit against his Ruy Lopez...which he accepted.  After a highly tactical game I was able to offer a draw which was almost certain to be accepted; and it was (wish I'd had the courage to hold out for a win now!). He resolved never to accept that gambit again!  As always he was happy to spend up to an hour looking at all the various lines and generous in praise of good moves and constructive in his criticism of poorer moves that I'd got away with "over the board".
 
He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.  Heartfelt condolences go out to his family.
 
Cheers Mike...." Not lost but gone before"
 

During my research into Mike' chess career I have found the following info;
 
Playing in the local league-  Period 2000 to date.    Won 84  Drew 15 Lost 8. Three of the losses were against players he would normally expect to beat which means against the best players he lost 5 games in total. A truely astonishing record. Of the three losses I refer to he was winning two but made terrible blunders.

His loss to Bob Donner was memorable Mike resigned a won game I am going to try and get the game from bob and publish the final position here or on the main site

The last game i lost in the cleveland league/cup was May 2006 in the final of the the Cup competition. It was against Mike, in a time scramble he played every move perfectly. He got his revenge from the previous cup match we had played and helped his club to winning the cup.  His chess was still improving and had the ability to take it further.

Quote from pawndistroyer on May 21^st, 2010, 8:22pm:

 
Aye Chris - a lovely piece - drawn from Ernie - well done Ernie - a lovely tribute in the main part of the Gazette - a fitting tribute to a great bloke!