Blackheath Blade
Active Member
I didn't know this lad but had read of his sad passing. The Club have posted this on the website this evening and it's deeply moving. Well done SUFC and Rest in peace Chris, God bless.
Below is a transcript of a tribute to prominent Blades fan Chris Booth, who sadly passed away earlier this month.
Stadium announcer Gary Sinclair announced the following before United's friendly fixture with Fenerbahçe on Thursday evening.
"Many of you will be aware of fellow Blade Chris Booth sadly passing on to a higher League on 9th July whilst on a trip to Poland doing what he always did best - throwing his limitless passion and energy into supporting what he believed in - the beauty and passion of football.
"Chris had travelled out with colleagues from his Irish Club, St. Patricks Athletic, to add his always vocal backing to their UEFA qualifying game against Legia Warsaw alongside lads who have become close friends to Chris, his family and countless Blades supporters who have met with them on their frequent visits here to the Steel City.
"Chris was an 'Old School Blade'- a lifelong fan. Committed , caring, opinionated, supportive. An ever present whether it be an U21 game at the Academy or an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. All games involving the Blades were treated in the same way, as were all fellow Blades. To Chris we were all a part of the same family.
"He played a major part in the formation and administration of the Handsworth Branch of our Official Supporters' Club where he served as Chairperson, one of our most vibrant and forward thinking individual branches. An 'Old School' idea that Chris and his colleagues there proved could work. Handsworth began to run its own away coaches, again, a modern take on the values as a Blade that Chris was brought up with, and boy did he and his colleagues up there show that there was still a place for such things - like-minded people getting behind something they cared about and doing it together, simple and effective.
"Latterly Chris contributed to the executive of the Official Supporters' Club, a presence and influence that will not be replaced, but they must learn to move forward without, and that is exactly what he would have wanted. To Chris the Club in such matters was always first, and all involved will honour that - of that we are sure.
"Chris went to sleep that night and did not wake up. Sheffield United and St Patricks lost a vital part of their DNA, but, more importantly, his wife Jean, his sons Liam and Steven, and the whole of his family lost their husband, father, son and brother- and what a hole it has left.
"Chris left his own memorial - his work in the Handsworth Supporters Club will live on - keep his name alive as a shining example of what a Blade should be.
"As Chris would have said - "No Strength without Unity" - the motto of St Pats and one that resonates here tonight.
Read more at http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20140731-chris-booth-1796480.aspx#fUDlUvumrLXTicrP.99
Below is a transcript of a tribute to prominent Blades fan Chris Booth, who sadly passed away earlier this month.
Stadium announcer Gary Sinclair announced the following before United's friendly fixture with Fenerbahçe on Thursday evening.
"Many of you will be aware of fellow Blade Chris Booth sadly passing on to a higher League on 9th July whilst on a trip to Poland doing what he always did best - throwing his limitless passion and energy into supporting what he believed in - the beauty and passion of football.
"Chris had travelled out with colleagues from his Irish Club, St. Patricks Athletic, to add his always vocal backing to their UEFA qualifying game against Legia Warsaw alongside lads who have become close friends to Chris, his family and countless Blades supporters who have met with them on their frequent visits here to the Steel City.
"Chris was an 'Old School Blade'- a lifelong fan. Committed , caring, opinionated, supportive. An ever present whether it be an U21 game at the Academy or an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. All games involving the Blades were treated in the same way, as were all fellow Blades. To Chris we were all a part of the same family.
"He played a major part in the formation and administration of the Handsworth Branch of our Official Supporters' Club where he served as Chairperson, one of our most vibrant and forward thinking individual branches. An 'Old School' idea that Chris and his colleagues there proved could work. Handsworth began to run its own away coaches, again, a modern take on the values as a Blade that Chris was brought up with, and boy did he and his colleagues up there show that there was still a place for such things - like-minded people getting behind something they cared about and doing it together, simple and effective.
"Latterly Chris contributed to the executive of the Official Supporters' Club, a presence and influence that will not be replaced, but they must learn to move forward without, and that is exactly what he would have wanted. To Chris the Club in such matters was always first, and all involved will honour that - of that we are sure.
"Chris went to sleep that night and did not wake up. Sheffield United and St Patricks lost a vital part of their DNA, but, more importantly, his wife Jean, his sons Liam and Steven, and the whole of his family lost their husband, father, son and brother- and what a hole it has left.
"Chris left his own memorial - his work in the Handsworth Supporters Club will live on - keep his name alive as a shining example of what a Blade should be.
"As Chris would have said - "No Strength without Unity" - the motto of St Pats and one that resonates here tonight.
Read more at http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20140731-chris-booth-1796480.aspx#fUDlUvumrLXTicrP.99
