Neil "Nello" Baldwin BEM (born 15 March 1946)[1][2] is an honorary graduate of Keele University[3][4] from Westlands in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, England.
[4] His fiftieth year there was marked with a two-day celebration, including a service of thanksgiving presided over by the Bishop of Lichfield, Keele alumnus Jonathan Gledhill, and a further testimonial match.
He has watched, supported and kept in touch with successive cohorts of Keele students building an impressive network of alumni contacts both national and internationally.
Vice-chancellor Professor Trevor McMillan remarked that "Only Neil could bring together people from such diverse walks of life to celebrate his birthday".
In the 1990s Baldwin was appointed as Stoke City Football Club kit-man by then manager Lou Macari[3][4][13][14] who has described him as "the best signing I ever made", as his humour was so good for team morale.
Baldwin is the subject of and also appeared as himself in Marvellous, an acclaimed 2014 biographical film in which he is played by Toby Jones, whom The Guardian praised for his "lovely, very human, performance".
[22] Baldwin collected the drama award trophy during the ceremony at the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane, and made an acceptance speech.
[1] A stage version of Baldwin's story premiered in March 2022 at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme[23][24] and, later that year, transferred to @sohoplace in London's West End.