FOR anyone hitting the clubs of Oxford and Witney in the late ‘90s, doorman Mark Smyth would have been a familiar sight.

The cheery father-of-two, from Cowley, worked on the door of the Palace Nightclub, in Witney, and countless Oxford bars and clubs, including the Old Fire Station and Downtown Manhattan, in George Street.

Friends and family of the 37-year-old say he always had a bright smile, a twinkle in his eye and a joke for the punters.

But Mr Smyth, a part-time firefighter, also battled severe depression and in October last year, he died days after attempting to take his own life.

Now a memorial concert is being held in his memory, with music by Oxfordshire band Blurd, a tribute act of one of Mr Smyth’s favourite bands, Blur.

Friend Nicky Clargo, who also works for Oxfordshire Mind, a mental health charity, said: “I met Mark in 1990 and he was my partner for two years.

“Mark loved travelling, he had a passion for martial arts and loved playing his guitar and singing.

“In fact Mark’s very first words to me were by song.

“I was sat on the staircase in The Palace Nightclub in Witney and Mark serenaded me by singing ‘You’ve lost that loving feeling’.

“He had a lovely voice and soon all the doormen joined in with him.”

Oxfordshire Mind, which has its main offices in Osney Mead, Oxford, runs projects across the county.

They include women-only services, groups for young people, black and minority ethnic outreach services, and evening and weekend services for people who work during the day.

Miss Clargo said: “Mark’s last year was a very troubled one with frequent visits to hospital.

“He always tried to hide his illness behind his smile.

“When I went to visit him in hospital with his mum he would just say ‘Don’t worry about me, I’ll be all right’.

“I just wish he was here to say those words now.”

Miss Clargo is now urging friends and acquaintances to support the gig at the Palace Nightclub in Witney Market Square, on Friday.

She added: “I hope that Mark can now rest in peace and that everyone will remember him with a bright shining smile and a twinkle in his eye.

“I know that he’d be touched by us organising this event and that he’d want others to learn about the services Mind has to offer, in case they are in need of our support.”

Mr Smyth’s mother, June Clark, from Cowley, Oxford, is also a volunteer for Oxfordshire Mind.

She said: “I’m really touched that Nicky has organised this event in memory of Mark.

“It has been a really tough year for me and Mark’s dad, Joe, but I am lucky that I have great support and friends at Oxfordshire Mind.”

The gig starts at 9pm. Entry is £5 on the door, with all proceeds going to Oxfordshire Mind.