Rotherham' Chairman

[I should coco]

55 is far too young and a nice fella. RIP Chris,

It didn't seem right to create a new thread for a mate but this one seemed wholly appropriate.

I knew Chris from work where he made many friends who appreciated his totally genuine attitude. By coincidence he went to the same gym as me and made many new friends there, just by being an all round decent bloke. He also has friends and neighbours from Nether Edge / Brincliffe where he lived and then another bunch of long standing Blade mates.

Even at the end after months of chemo becoming less and less effective, Chris had a smile and a positive outlook on life. An absolute top bloke and he really will be sorely missed by many people.

As others have said, grief is personal, but I'm not embarrassed to say, we have lost a lovely human being who just happened to be a top Blade too.

 

[I should coco]

It is conceivable that 90 Blades will die this week so do we have to clap the whole f****** match.

No we don't mate but equally we don't have to post something a bit aggressive on a thread like this.

Maybe have a quiet word with yourself, eh?

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Not everyone is living longer.....

Well they are. The Dead are Dead, so they're logically excluded from "everyone". While I've been writing this, everyone has lived longer. Apart from those who have died while I've been writing it - and you could hardly describe those poor dead wretches as "everyone".
What are you driving at fella.....?

 

[Jolly Buffer]

It didn't seem right to create a new thread for a mate but this one seemed wholly appropriate.

I knew Chris from work where he made many friends who appreciated his totally genuine attitude. By coincidence he went to the same gym as me and made many new friends there, just by being an all round decent bloke. He also has friends and neighbours from Nether Edge / Brincliffe where he lived and then another bunch of long standing Blade mates.

Even at the end after months of chemo becoming less and less effective, Chris had a smile and a positive outlook on life. An absolute top bloke and he really will be sorely missed by many people.

As others have said, grief is personal, but I'm not embarrassed to say, we have lost a lovely human being who just happened to be a top Blade too.

Well said mate. His passing was talked about on Monday night and your description of him is spot on from what I heard.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

74th minute, some bloke is apparently showing respect by clapping. 70th minute he was screaming - I'm going to kick your head in you Toytown wanker. I'll never get it......

 

[sitwell]

Did you hear? The Office for National Statistics have recently published new life expectancy forecasts. Because we're all living longer, FIFA are contemplating a change to the laws of the game. Basically, we'll play 50 minutes each way. It's so those who have family members who die in their nineties can still launch social media campaigns for a minutes applause in the 96th minute. I'm not sure how true this is....

She could have been the oldest woman in the country when they played the pigs.

 

[The Crab]

Well they are. The Dead are Dead, so they're logically excluded from "everyone". While I've been writing this, everyone has lived longer. Apart from those who have died while I've been writing it - and you could hardly describe those poor dead wretches as "everyone".
What are you driving at fella.....?

Nothing mate, please ignore me. Just miss mine the most at weekends and it makes me chat meaningless shite.

Apologies

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Well they are. The Dead are Dead, so they're logically excluded from "everyone". While I've been writing this, everyone has lived longer. Apart from those who have died while I've been writing it - and you could hardly describe those poor dead wretches as "everyone".
What are you driving at fella.....?

The actuaries working for the big pension/insurance companies have just concluded that they are expecting current 65year-olds (men and woman) to live 6 months less than was the expectation last time they made the calculation. Shareholders in those companies are about to be in the money (if they live long enough). Government will be delighted, as they have not yet put failing Grayling in charge of health - he could get rid of all pensioners at a stroke (sorry for that one).

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Football Stadia are surely the least respectful places on Earth. You are allowed, I'll say encouraged, to show hatred for someone simply because they are wearing different coloured shorts. The whole point of the exercise is to come out on top. To beat the others. Sure, I've got a bit of play up & play the game in me. Sure, I've decided not to call Sheffield Wednesday fans "Pigs". But, they are simply not a respectful environment. Why would anyone want to have a loved one remembered or respected in such an alien, anti respect environment? Rhetorical - because they were a fan & possibly contributed to the disrespectful environment in the past. It's odd & I'm not sure where it will all lead.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Can just imagine the reaction on here if some opposition fans were saying similar about us having applause for Mrs McCabe.

It's 1 solitary minute to recognise the nearest and dearest of the man that saved their club from the Booths, and built them a fantastic stadium.

Great. One solitary minute. No big deal. Have it before the game. Or at half time. Or after the final whistle.

 

[I should coco]

Why would anyone want to have a loved one remembered or respected in such an alien, anti respect environment? Rhetorical - because they were a fan & possibly contributed to the disrespectful environment in the past. It's odd & I'm not sure where it will all lead.

A very odd response as far as I'm concerned.

A few people from the Civil Service may remember you as a shit hot mathematician, but I'm guessing you are better known these days as a Blade. Do you really want to be remembered by a dusty old photo of a 45 year old you, hung over the water cooler (inspected for Legionaire's Disease twice a year), at the Manpower Services building,m or a mention on the big screen at the Lane.

I get what you are hinting at, but your workmates will soon forget you. Despite not quite hating the truffle-hunting-snort-beast-piggy-bastards enough, I'm sure plenty on here and the CBF will remember you as a Blade.

Your call though and I'm quite happy to apathetically stare at my shoes in your minute's silence, if that's what you really want.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

A very odd response as far as I'm concerned.

A few people from the Civil Service may remember you as a shit hot mathematician, but I'm guessing you are better known these days as a Blade. Do you really want to be remembered by a dusty old photo of a 45 year old you, hung over the water cooler (inspected for Legionaire's Disease twice a year), at the Manpower Services building,m or a mention on the big screen at the Lane.

I get what you are hinting at, but your workmates will soon forget you. Despite not quite hating the truffle-hunting-snort-beast-piggy-bastards enough, I'm sure plenty on here and the CBF will remember you as a Blade.

Your call though and I'm quite happy to apathetically stare at my shoes in your minute's silence, if that's what you really want.

It's difficult to know how to respond. Genuinely. No. No. No. I would not want to be remembered in any way at a football ground. The thought of it sounds ridiculous. People I've never known. Clapping. Or silencing. I'm self aware enough to know that my views are at odds with the modern way. But, this world provides a lot of opportunity for quiet, contemplative reflection on a person's life. But, a football ground. I get that might be how others see it. But, I don't.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

A very odd response as far as I'm concerned.

A few people from the Civil Service may remember you as a shit hot mathematician, but I'm guessing you are better known these days as a Blade. Do you really want to be remembered by a dusty old photo of a 45 year old you, hung over the water cooler (inspected for Legionaire's Disease twice a year), at the Manpower Services building,m or a mention on the big screen at the Lane.

I get what you are hinting at, but your workmates will soon forget you. Despite not quite hating the truffle-hunting-snort-beast-piggy-bastards enough, I'm sure plenty on here and the CBF will remember you as a Blade.

Your call though and I'm quite happy to apathetically stare at my shoes in your minute's silence, if that's what you really want.

Incidentally, the CBF have been promised that the money for a colour photocopier for them will be in my Will. So, yes, I have some sentiment. I will live on through knock off colour Teamsheets being passed around on deserted concourses.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

The whole point of the exercise is to come out on top.

Is it not 'to come out on top in a shared experience'? There was a very fine recent example of wanting to beat an opponent and at the same time respecting that opponent in what Pele said about Gordon Banks - something something along the lines of at the time he was gutted that he didn't score with the famous header, but Banks' save became the iconic moment, which began a friendship which lasted a lifetime, and that friendship in the end was much more important than scoring a goal. Though no doubt he would occasionally remind Banks of which team won.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Is it not 'to come out on top in a shared experience'? There was a very fine recent example of wanting to beat an opponent and at the same time respecting that opponent in what Pele said about Gordon Banks - something something along the lines of at the time he was gutted that he didn't score with the famous header, but Banks' save became the iconic moment, which began a friendship which lasted a lifetime, and that friendship in the end was much more important than scoring a goal. Though no doubt he would occasionally remind Banks of which team won.

Yes. I'm a big fan of the idea of the 90 minutes being about utterly defeating your opponent, but the rest of the event being about meeting & congratulating & celebrating with him/her. I've got really good friends who are Leeds, WBA & Ipswich fans & I've been out celebrating or commiserating with them before & after our games this season. That's a part of the game I absolutely love.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

It's difficult to know how to respond. Genuinely. No. No. No. I would not want to be remembered in any way at a football ground. The thought of it sounds ridiculous. People I've never known. Clapping. Or silencing. I'm self aware enough to know that my views are at odds with the modern way. But, this world provides a lot of opportunity for quiet, contemplative reflection on a person's life. But, a football ground. I get that might be how others see it. But, I don't.

I for one would like to have a moment to remember the guy who regularly provided information on what was going on with all Utd teams outside the first team. But it should be your call. And as I am pretty sure I'm older than you, I shall probably just have to accept that you won't want to remember a guy who led such a sad life that he regularly spent time reading the obscure information you kept writing about...

 

[I should coco]

People I've never known. Clapping. Or silencing. I'm self aware enough to know that my views are at odds with the modern way.

Actually they're not that much at odds. In a minority maybe, but there are plenty of decent minded old farts around too, who happen to like the odd pint or eight.

But, this world provides a lot of opportunity for quiet, contemplative reflection on a person's life. But, a football ground. I get that might be how others see it. But, I don't.

A very valid point.

I want 30k at the Lane clapping me and roaring like babies with tears flooding the Sheaf. I do understand that one of my kids remembering to look up at the big screen and elbowing their partner into clapping half heartedly, is the best I can expect.

 

[I'll tell me dad.]

Did you hear? The Office for National Statistics have recently published new life expectancy forecasts. Because we're all living longer, FIFA are contemplating a change to the laws of the game. Basically, we'll play 50 minutes each way. It's so those who have family members who die in their nineties can still launch social media campaigns for a minutes applause in the 96th minute. I'm not sure how true this is....

A new range of Birthday cards for the over nineties "Many Happy Returns, you are now entering time added on"

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I think it’s sufficient to put obituaries up on the screen at half time in the main. Like we do with birthdays. I think for ex players, or those who have served the club in some significant capacity, an announcement at half time, maybe with a photo on screen, and voluntary applause, is appropriate.

I don’t like this ‘minutes applause’ at all tbh. I think it’s totally unnecessary and detracts from the game whilst the match is in play. And where do we draw the line? We could end up having 90 minutes of continuous applause if we acknowledged every deceased fan in this way.

I think for a major incident or tragedy a minute’s silence to pay respects is appropriate - But - before the game starts or at half time.

I just think it’s gone too far. I go to the match to watch a game of football not to applaud the death of someone I’ve never heard of or knew anything about. It’s not a remembrance service.

Let those who loved and knew them pay their respects in a personal way by all means. And I hope they showed them their love and respect whilst they were still alive - in which case there would be no need for this in any case.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

A mate of mine was a big Chelsea fan. One of those who "everyone from the old Skool" knew. He was murdered in December 2016. His family wanted the picture on the screen, minutes applause thing at Stamford Bridge. My understanding is that Chelsea were originally reluctant along the lines of we're inundated with requests like this from all around the world & we don't want to set a precedent. Basically, they were trying to turn away all requests from fans as it was getting out of hand. As it happens, my mate had briefly worked on the groundstaff team at Stamford Bridge. The club eventually agreed to the family wishes on the grounds he was a former employee of the club. I would imagine that requests from fans at "big clubs" become unworkable very quickly.

Oh & that's a great post Cerberus Blade

 

[Russ]

I wasn’t aware of this but I hope Tony Stewart is doing alright he seems a decent bloke him.

I hope we are scoring our fifth goal in that minute. Then all parts of the ground will be able to applaud!

 

[boss hog]

I think we should show our class and leave the debate for another day.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I think we should show our class and leave the debate for another day.

I know where you're coming from. Just to be clear though, my remarks are nothing to do the Rotherham Chairman's ex-wife, RIP. They are general remarks about our club's policy/approach towards all such acknowledgements. There won't be a single day in this year, or next, or the one after, when a Blade, or someone associated with the club in some way, doesn't die. The club need to re-think their approach to this because it's more likely to result in disrespect being shown if not. Happy for my post to be moved to a different thread if this isn't clear.

 

[Treeton Blade]

A montage of all supporters who have passed away during the season on the big screen (adverts allowing!),before the last home game is a fine and appropriate tribute.

 

[The Tea Lady]

Football Stadia are surely the least respectful places on Earth. You are allowed, I'll say encouraged, to show hatred for someone simply because they are wearing different coloured shorts. The whole point of the exercise is to come out on top. To beat the others. Sure, I've got a bit of play up & play the game in me. Sure, I've decided not to call Sheffield Wednesday fans "Pigs". But, they are simply not a respectful environment. Why would anyone want to have a loved one remembered or respected in such an alien, anti respect environment? Rhetorical - because they were a fan & possibly contributed to the disrespectful environment in the past. It's odd & I'm not sure where it will all lead.

Football grounds are strange places. God knows there's not just disrespect, but outright animal hatred.

But there are also the flowers on the banking near the Club shop.

The point about/from Chelsea is a good one. And I'm glad somebody upthread made the (Martin Luther-style) point that sometimes this is more about display, or even conformity and control, than any actual individual empathy.

Who knows how to decide who to remember? But Shred and Alan Woodward are two recent examples where I think you'd have to be Westboro Baptist-extreme to object.

Despite the animal hatred, there is also room, sometimes maybe even a need, for remembrance and celebration. I'm not sure how all those can exist together, but they do.

 

[BushBlade]

It didn't seem right to create a new thread for a mate but this one seemed wholly appropriate.

I knew Chris from work where he made many friends who appreciated his totally genuine attitude. By coincidence he went to the same gym as me and made many new friends there, just by being an all round decent bloke. He also has friends and neighbours from Nether Edge / Brincliffe where he lived and then another bunch of long standing Blade mates.

Even at the end after months of chemo becoming less and less effective, Chris had a smile and a positive outlook on life. An absolute top bloke and he really will be sorely missed by many people.

As others have said, grief is personal, but I'm not embarrassed to say, we have lost a lovely human being who just happened to be a top Blade too.

Sorry for your loss and condolences to his family and friends.

 

[BushBlade]

It is conceivable that 90 Blades will die this week so do we have to clap the whole f****** match.

What a disaster that would be. Someone might think we’re supporting the team.

 

[broomhillblade]

Did you hear? The Office for National Statistics have recently published new life expectancy forecasts. Because we're all living longer, FIFA are contemplating a change to the laws of the game. Basically, we'll play 50 minutes each way. It's so those who have family members who die in their nineties can still launch social media campaigns for a minutes applause in the 96th minute. I'm not sure how true this is....

But our life expectancy is now going DOWN. It must be true 'cos it says so in the Daily Mail

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...fe-expectancy-falls-SIX-MONTHS-men-women.html

 

[Davalon]

Great. One solitary minute. No big deal. Have it before the game. Or at half time. Or after the final whistle.

If others want it to show respect then I genuinely can't see why 1 minutes applause can upset people so much.

You sound like one of those that caused the invention of the minutes applause, because they were unable to keep their mouth shut for 1 minute.

 

[Pinchy]

My dad left us a year ago today. He was a Blade and made me a Blade. He was 82. I’m not calling for applause in the 82nd minute, neither will I be applauding myself, except for the Mighty Blades. I shall be observing my own private tribute.

That said, he and many other Blades who have passed on, are more appropriately applauded at Bramall Lane than the wife of a visiting chairman. I say that without any disrespect for his loss.

If anyone wants to applaud in the 74th minute or any other given minute, they are free and welcome to do so. In fact all ninety minutes would be entirely acceptable, though it might disturb a few naps and the last five would be a problem for the traffic-beaters.

I won’t be joining in. I won’t acknowledge it by silence either. I shall crack on with suppprting my team, just as I shall in the 82nd minute, but perhaps a little more fervently than usual.