Sad news picked up on Facebook from his son, Joseph.

"Yesterday morning I lost my best friend and dad Michael Bracken. The best dad I could’ve asked for, he was thoughtful, creative, fascinating and fierce when he wanted to be. I’ll bitterly miss our long talks about anything and everything passing on 70 years of knowledge and wisdom, our awaydays following Blackburn and you nagging me to be the best version of myself. It was our little mission over the years to visit the 92 stadiums in the football league and we gave it a good go and made it to 51. He enriched so many peoples lives with his knowledge, humour and talent. I know many others will miss him and feel the same emptiness that I’m feeling now.

Goodnight Dad, I love you and I’ll really miss you :’)"

I met Michael on here and a few times at Swinton. He really was a lovely man and although I have not seen him in a long time and he has not been on here for a few years, I will miss him.

Rest in peace, Michael.