"I am proud and privileged to have been asked to write an obituary for Nigel Booth, who sadly passed away last week. The reason being that he was a most important industry member in the five decades he worked in the industry.

I first met Nigel on a warm summer evening in 1964 at Len Best’s Arcade and Bingo in New Brighton, Cheshire. I had recently set up the arcade sales division of Phonographic Equipment and was travelling the country meeting arcade owners.

While I knew of Nigel and the excellent job he was doing selling Bell Fruit mechanical fruit machines, I had never met him before and was pleased to have the opportunity that evening. We went for a drink and chatted about the industry and it became abundantly clear to me that he was very well connected and knew all the leading players.

I asked him if would be interested in joining Phonographic, as it would mean he would have an extensive range of machines to sell. Several weeks later he joined us.

Nigel bought orders in on his first day and introduced new customers to the company on a daily basis. His charming manner and unbelievable knowledge, not only of product but arcade owners, was his forte.

He played a tremendous part in the growth of the company in the 1960s and 70s and was tireless in producing results. I learned a lot from Nigel in those days and have carried that learning throughout my career in the amusement industry.

We had a great time together travelling the country and also at the numerous trade shows we exhibited at. Customers would make a beeline to our stand to say hello to him and place their orders.

I remember when we landed contract to equip every Pontin’s Holiday Camp. We had five weeks to do it and without his efforts would not have succeeded. It was a military operation, with Nigel as officer-in-command. Fred Pontin could not get over our achievement.

Nigel stayed with the company until the early 1970s and left to take up a senior position at London Coin Machines. He returned to Associated Leisure, as the company was now called, and was managing director for a period. As far as I can recall, he joined John Stergides at Electrocoin when the company was located in Tottenham Court Road, London, in the early 1980s and stayed with John until he retired in 1995.

Once again, Nigel proved to be very successful during the growth of Electrocoin and was a great asset to the company.

I recall Nigel talking about his late father, who had connections with the Holloway brother’s at Sampson Novelty Company, and I also think he worked for the British American Novelty Company.

Nigel’s mother had married again and his stepfather owned an arcade in Margate, Kent. Nigel’s brother also worked in the trade for the great Tom Lane in Blackpool.

Nigel had a great interest in rugby and motor sport and was played rugby as young man; he was connected with Hendon Rugby Club for many years. He and his wife Maureen were very proud of the their son Neil and his achievements.

Nigel will be sadly missed by his many friends in the industry, one in which he was a leading force and a member of an elite few industry greats.

I will always cherish the years we were together and send my sincere condolences to Maureen and Neil."