My Dad's funeral yesterday..

[Cadiz Seagull]

Really sorry to hear that Gripper - RIP Dad

Sobering thought - all 4 people who died and ages mentioned on this thread were younger than me *gulp*

I hope your Dad got as much pleasure from passing on his love of the Albion to you as I do from passing on to my kids - 2 converted, 1 half converted but the 4th still a closet Spurs fan, but I'm working on him.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Rest in Peace.

 

[Deano's Right Foot]

Very sorry to hear that Gripper. I lost my dad at the weekend also. 56 is very young and it's hard to imagine what you're going through. My dad made it to over 80 and had a full life, so in a way perhaps it's easier for me, and after a stroke two and a half years ago his quality of life was not great so there is some sense of relief along with the shock and sadness.

My dad was born in Middlesbrough and was a boro fan. He took me to my first Albion game in 1967 when boro gained promotion to the 2nd division. For some reason he always used to bring up the scoreline 9-0 every now and then (hmmm).

We'll give him a good send-off at the funeral next week (and let him know that boro finished top of their group in the UEFA cup.)

The memories will always stay with you Gripper.

 

[Rowley Birkin Q.C (Deceased)]

Best wishes to you and your family.
Lost my garndad 2 years ago in febuary. He was Canadian but a complete Albion nut. He saw the game vs Fulham in 58 that is still our record attendance, and he took me to my 1st Albion game vs palace in 85.
Like i found, may the many happy memories be your comfort at this time.

 

[FamilyGuy]

My dad died nearly 8 years ago - very suddenly.

He was a Spurs fan and took me to my first ever football game, White Hart Lane, Spurs -v- Man Utd - I'll be thinking of him "on the day", and shouting for the Albion!!

Take some time to grieve and to remember the good times.

 

[zefarelly]

I lost my Dad mid October, a very rapid demise from a rare and viscious form of cancer, he was only 55, like your Dad Gripper, he took me to some of my first games, I remember him having the Seeboard office season tickets in the South stand for a cup game against Man City, we'd scored before we found the seats ! he bought me and my brother tracksuits and kits for christmas, wish I still had it now, be a bit tight though !

although more recently we spent our times together playing with cars, drinking wine, good food and other stuff, they still very vivid and formative memories, Dads are great.

RIP to all of them . . .I've got a lump in my throat now

 

[Titanic]

If anyone doubts the importance of football clubs and The Albion in particular, they should read this thread.

It is a great inspiration to hear similar stories to mine - about how important 'going to the match' is - and what a special shared experience this is.

My Dad first took me to the Goldstone, when we moved to Hove in the early 70's. I was 8 - and we used to love - going with Dad and my two older brothers.

Like many, eventually we started going on our own - and now I take my eldest son (and his brother and sister when we can get extra tickets).

I'm sure you will treasure these special memories of YOUR DAD, Gripper. And what a great way to remember him, everytime you go to watch the Albion.

 

[caz99]

I lost my dad when I was 13, at the age of 50 unfortunately he didnt take me to football as he was very ill and an alcoholic so I dont have a lot of fond memories. However when he wasnt drunk he was on form, I also didnt speak to him for six months before he died which I now regret. I miss him very much especially now at christmas.

People sometimes dont realise how lucky they are and its nice to read some of your posts above.

 

[zefarelly]

a tough time Caz99, there'll be a big gap at the table for our christmas too (it was a massive tasting glass he used !!!) but we have to move on, and hopefully grow stronger and better from it.

 

[caz99]

a tough time Caz99, there'll be a big gap at the table for our christmas too (it was a massive tasting glass he used !!!) but we have to move on, and hopefully grow stronger and better from it.

agree, unfortunately the world just doesnt stop turning.

 

[C1 BHA]

My condolences. Very moving post and the reply from DTG.
Thinking of you at this sad time.......best wishes, Chris O.

 

[Albion Dan]

Sorry to hear that Gripper.

To lose a parent is a really horrible thing for anyone, but trust me time does heal, and always look back with fond memories of the good times you had.

 

[Hungry Joe]

Sincere condolences to Gripper and Zef who've had recent bereavements and my thoughts too to all the others who have posted their losses here.

My Dad took me to my first Albion game in 1980. He's still going and suffering Withdene with me and my brother at 74. I know one day the seat next to us will be taken by another but he'll always be there. I guess there's never enough time. Reading what you all have written makes me more determined than ever to enjoy whatever time is left with him, be it days or decades.

All the best.

 

[Meade's Ball]

My dad died when i was 10. He was only 36. His birthday is Christmas Eve too, so it's always a slightly haunting time of year for us. Despite being from Barnsley, he took me and my brother to our first Brighton game in about 1984, shortly before he died. I remember celebrating a goal and throwing a cone of chips into the air. I was gutted to lose those chips.

We've been going most seasons since.

 

[Trufflehound]

Sad news. RIP.

 

[gripper stebson]

Cheers guys.... All really appreciated.

 

[shingle]

Lovelly story

My father died at 52 from a stress related stroke, and like your Dad, he took me and my brother to games when we lived down in Wiltshire ( back in the early 70's)..Swindon, Bristol City, Southhampton.....

When we moved to Brighton in 1975, he took us both to see Brighton vs Crystal Palace at the Goldstone and we were hooked. One regret I have is that we all stood in the east terrance together up till I was about 17, and then I stopped standing there and went with mates ( and my future wife). I used to pop up and see Dad further up the terraces, but he used to stand on his own. He finally called it a day , citing that fact that he wasn't a Barry LLoyd fan. I do wish looking back that he would have come and stood by us and feel very guilty that we left him on his own.

When he died, it was the worst day of my life and still remains that to this day

Look back on all the good things you shared, the Christmasses, the birthdays, the holidays.

I know this sounds a tad slushy, but when Tasha Yar died on Star Trek, she made a video as a goodby, just in case they "died " on a mission. What she said has lived with me till this day...she said " .....I will always live on all the time that you think of me and remember me....alwways think of me ...." That got me through a very bad time in my life.

God Bless your Dad

Lovely post Dave

 

[shingle]

Very sad news gripper,

RIP grippers dad

 

[Harold]

Gripper, I enclose a poem that I wrote for my Dads funeral back in Feb (after a long battle against cancer). It formed part of the eulogy(sp) on the day. It forced me to remember things that characterised him and I have found it useful since. He was Brighton mad and we had SBTS played with the congregation wearing scarves. I will always think of him whenever we play.

God bless you and your family at this difficult time mate.

----------------------------------------------
Well Dad, we are gathered here,
So much sooner than we thought,
The result of years of struggling so,
With your illness bravely fought.

Here we have a chance to join,
and remember you this day,
some special people in your life,
will have some words to say.

For me I'd like to think a while,
Of things we knew you for,
It helps me come to terms with this,
Though makes me miss you more.

We all know how you loved to talk,
to those you met and knew,
And, though the world to rights you'd lay,
your subjects numbered few.

I'll pick family, football and your work,
As your favourites of them all,
The passion you gave to all of these,
Allowed you to stand tall.

Of other things in life you loved,
Two stand, as special likes,
Your swimming in the Eastbourne sea,
And love of motorbikes.

Your family though, your biggest love,
Of life, the biggest part,
Be sure and safe in knowledge then,
You gave each child a loving start.

Your love of Brighton & Hove Albion,
My inherited gift, our bond,
I'll never forget our shared support,
I've passed it down to carry on.

Your working life reads like a book,
The way you turned your hand,
So many different dreams fulfilled,
That covered sea and land.

From Merchant navy to shaping gardens,
In your Eastbourne Council phase,
To your printing work and paper sales,
And one time guesthouse days.

But driving folk around these parts,
you seemed to like the best,
Even when your state of health declined,
You wouldn't seek to rest.

Of all these things we'll miss you speak,
These signatures of your life,
And those who'll miss them all the most,
Are your loving kids and wife.

This driving force, this working man,
A few reasons that I had,
To be so proud and speak so high,
Of the man that I call Dad.

So many jobs where people crossed,
so many, many friends.
This town where you began your life,
is where the story ends.

Always a kind and gentle man,
No favour was too much,
I'm proud you're held in high esteem,
And will be remembered such.

So here's a scarf to take with you,
in Brighton's Blue and White,
you lay in rest in peace at last,
no further need to fight.

I stand here now because of you,
your Grandsons stand with me,
To remember you Dad, Friend and Son,
Of Sussex By The Sea.
----------------------------------------------------

 

[Seagull Stew]

OK, this thread has taken me twice as long to read for wiping away the tears.
May I first say how sorry I am for your loss Grippers, everyone's losses in fact.

My Dad has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. It's a neurological disease that basically means his muscles are switching off one by one as the nerves gradually fail to serve them.
If you're an early arriver at the Withdean, you may have seen me helping him from his small purple scooter into the front row of V block. We had to change our season tickets from D block to V block as, at the start of the season, he simply couldn't make it up the stairs and unfortunately the disabled section had sold out. The decline in his condition is such, that it will be difficult for him to make it up the 2 steps to the front of the V block this Friday. I'm not sure how many games we will be able to attend as it is coming to a stage where he just won't be able to stand.
Also, his breathing is going downhill fast, so the stress of watching the Albion might become too great! (That even made me chuckle).
The thing that amazes me is his passion for the future of the Albion. His anger at the delays involved with Falmer, even though he knows he won't be around for it even if building work started tomorrow. It's as if he knows it's my future and is eager to see that I will always be able to enjoy the main activity that has bonded us all this time.
I remember being in awe at my first game at the Goldstone aged 10, Boxing day 1982. A 1-0 defeat by Southampton. Sitting in the front row being scared at how fast the ball was flying towards me when it went wide.
We then moved to the West stand. I'd go to the front, near the tunnel with alot of other kids my age and he'd go and stand in the West (North) corner. I remember a home game against Birmingham when some of their fans left the ground early and started throwing bricks in that gap between the West stand and the West stand extension (Remember that?)
Alot of us youngsters all climbed up onto the touchline and my Dad must have ran a ten second 100 metre sprint through the crowd to make sure I was alright. The look on his face as he looked for me as I could see him but he couldn't see me, I will always remember. I could go on about what we've encountered together at the Goldstone, Priestfield, Withdean, away grounds etc but I think that would take just too many pages.
Bill Shankly once said that football was more important than life or death. He was wrong, of course, but wasn't far off!

RIP Gripper Stebson's dad.