Permanent tribute for popular Millers fan

A shrine of photos, flowers and football shirts was created around a tree in Bridgegate in tribute to the 38-year-old music lover and scooter rider after he was beaten to death in March.

More than 2,000 people have signed an online petition calling for a plaque to Danny, of Munsbrough, after most of the floral tributes and keepsakes were removed from around the tree where they had been left.

And Danny’s brother Simon revealed this week that, following weeks of discussions, Rotherham Borough Council had given the go-ahead and offered to install the plaque.

“I heard from the council this week that we can have one, which is fantastic,” he said.

The plaque will reads “In memory of Danny ‘Dixie’ Dix”, followed by “Live Forever in our hearts” — a nod to one of the music fan’s favourite Oasis songs — and the dates of his birth and death.

“We wanted to add ‘Up the Millers’ but apparently you’re not allowed to have anything about football,” said Simon.

Ryan Janukovicz, former landlord of The County pub, set up the petition to show the strength of support for a plaque, which he said “would be somewhere Danny's family and his daughter can have a permanent memorial”.

And Simon said: “It’s great that so many people have signed.

“It’s fantastic that people have come together once again to support us, as they did with the fundraising and the original shrine to Danny.”

Danny was attacked on March 9 as he and his friend Tariq Hussain walked home from watching Rotherham United play Sheffield United on TV.

He died from his injuries a week later. A total of ten people have been arrested but none have yet been charged.

Fundraising in memory of Danny, which will go to support his daughter Freya, has topped £15,000.

The council’s cabinet member for waste, roads and community safety, Cllr Emma Hoddinott, said: “My thoughts are with Mr Dix’s family at this tragic time. 

“Council officers have been working closely with Mr Dix’s family in order to have a plaque installed in his memory on Bridgegate. 

“The council will install the plaque in the next few weeks.”