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Wanderers Ways. Neil Thompson 1961-2021

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  1. Bit of a tale about Today which I think is well worth relaying.. my old man’s bday on NYD which was a milestone birthday for him so decided to take him in to the LoV today. A couple of weeks ago off the cuff I decided to email Sharon (or what I assumed was her email address) explaining he was a lifelong ST holder etc etc and anything she could do / any time spent with him would make his day. A couple of weeks went by with nothing. Eventually this week received an email from someone else at the club stating Sharon had received and read the email and to arrange a meet with her this afternoon. so took the old man down to reception at 2:30 to meet the girl who emailed me as requested. Took us up to the chairman’s suite and we were stood outside for a while him still unsure as to what the hell was going on. Eventually Sharon comes out and apologises as she “couldn’t get away from sir Alex” and welcomed us both as though she’d known us for years. Bit of a chat ensued and he’s bowled over that she’s made the effort. He then apologises and says we have to make our way back round to the LoV to see the KO. Instantly she says No! “ I’ll find you seats in the exec box with me” shouts her laccy over and pretty much says they’re friends of mine, find them some seats to watch the match in the box. At HT come in to the chairman’s suite and we will have a brew. So ended up spending the whole game in her (distant) company, made us feel so welcome. Had more than enough time for us. it may have meant nothing to her in the grand scheme of things but will last my old man a lifetime. The woman is absolute class from top to bottom and I can’t imagine our club in better, more thoughtful or considerate hands.
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  2. Echoing sentiments above, cant express how emotional that all felt yesterday. FV, the current squad and Ian Evatt must have gone to bed last night thinking fuck me what a club this is. My dad said to my lads coming out that we've always been a family club and it couldn't be truer. We have always seemed to made a connection with players hence they always want to come back and speak about us warmly. (Bar the odd few ) On the back of nearly losing our club and the horrendous KA years, yesterday was the cherry on the top, and just makes you realise just how much we all had to lose. After a difficult few weeks it was great to put a smile on the old fellas face as well x
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  3. just got the call. Got the job! Sweet, sweet relief. 12 contract, time to build up my new business with my other directors, I've never been so pleased to take a pay drop!! This year! This for all the well wishers, means a lot and I can now go back to getting some sleep and looking forward. Too early for a beer?!
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  4. It’s a long read, but some of you might be interested.. On Sunday 10th April 2022, my 81 year old dad, Dave Vickers, will embark on his last tour, having been the official BWFC Tour Guide for 16 Years. It was a never a job for Dad, more a hobby, a pleasure, a pastime which allowed him to recall treasured memories and indulge himself into the history of Bolton Wanderers. To the delight of many customers 1 hour tours often took a lot longer as he ensured every photo, every trophy, every room, every stand low and high into the gantry were visited and stories relating to their importance were shared with detail, knowledge and passion which took fans back in time to relive some famous nostalgic bwfc moments. Dad often used to receive thanks usually verbally and occasionally through cards and emails to the club. One example came from George and June Quinn. “Our tour guide was Dave, he made us feel very welcome and we were treated to the most friendly and interesting tour. All parts of the stadium we saw were most impressive which together with Daves vast knowledge and friendly manner, made it a very enjoyable and memorable day” (30/01/2008) Dads love of BWFC goes back 75 years, when as a 6 year old in 1945 he made his first visit to Burnden Park. He was taken by his dad, Jack Vickers, who has an extremely important claim to fame. Jack, while living next door to Nat Lofthouse on Thicketford Road, took Nat to his first ever Bolton game and from there Nats lifelong love affair with BWFC began. Dad has continued to follow the Whites throughout the decades recalling special memories from the teams of the 70s, the renaissance years under Rioch, the famous European visits under Big Sam and the exciting current Era as Ian Evatt looks to bring BOLTON back to where they belong. He has passed this BWFC passion down a further 2 generations and now attends the game with his son Craig and 3 grandchildren Jack, Adam and Charlotte. Dad will really miss sharing his love and passion of BWFC with others on his tours, but now is the right time for him to finally hang his boots up. Dad is looking forward to celebrating his retirement and tributes will be officially paid to him at a future game.
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  5. Embarrassed. It’s not my money, I just made the contact. BUT, it just reinforces the fact that this club is in the hands of bloody good folk who care and have a lot of class. Proud to be a Wanderer, indeed.
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  6. Its been mentioned elsewhere but lets try and keep all this respectable. A nice mention before the game and a clap on either the minute the game got stopped or the poor fellas age. Nothing more needs to be done. No playing in black, no songs or chanting. Lets keep it right. We arent scousers and we are not grief junkies. All about dignity, respect and class.
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  7. My uncle lost his battle to this in Royal Bolton this morning, so he will be one of today’s numbers. last rites over the phone held by a nurse with no family there. made an exception yesterday evening and allowed my Aunt in for a short while to say goodbye , she was so covered up and him in such a way will never know if he knew, but my aunt said he did and took comfort from it. None of his kids have seen him since last Thursday and can’t even be with their mum now. Not writing this for sympathy, very few know me and I know most on here are decent enough without needing to say anything. writing this to firstly echo how brilliant the staff Bolton are, cannot express how fantastic and hard working they are while remaining compassionate and patient. Special breed of person . Thank you to all posters on here who work there, for all I know you were the one that sat and held his hand in the absence of his family secondly, from reading not many do, but, if you think the virus doesn’t kill but rather underlying conditions do, be in no doubt this virus killed him, he wasn’t going to die if he got flu or a cold. thirdly, if you can’t imagine what we are going through, if you go out and ignore the rules you’ll be risking putting someone else through this and maybe even your own family will experience it or yourself and believe me, it’s fucking grim so stay home. Its also a better place for me to just write this than Facebook etc so thanks for obliging me in that.
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  8. That was one of the loveliest things to ever happen. Stood in my garden sobbing like a baby! Proud to work for the NHS 👏👏👏👏❤️
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  9. Right - I've got a bit of good news here. And maybe something to read if you're down or struggling. I've not mentioned it on here previously, but I've been off work since just before Christmas with mental health problems. Quick synopsis - break of of relationship, dead dad, stressful job and trying to complete a masters got well on top of me and I completely broke down. I couldn't eat, sleep or get out of bed. I thought about suicide every day and couldn't get the thought from popping into my brain and ruminating on it. Even if I knew in my heart of hearts I'd never follow through with it. I genuinely didn't think I would ever be able to recover from this episode and that my life was over. Fast forward a couple of months and I'm ready to return to work. In fact I'm really looking forward to it. I'm exercising again - going out and enjoying life and am optimistic about the future. If you're going through a shit time (and all of us do at times) then just know that it DOESN'T last forever (even if it feels that way right now)..... If anyone's struggling and needs a chat - you can always DM me. Always! 💪👍
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  10. Read all 46 pages of this thread last night. Rang doctors first thing this morning, and got GP appointment. Now hooked up with referral to a couple of support services. You don't know me, but thanks all.
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  11. I will be far from alone but fuck me Im missng the match. Home but more Importantly away. I miss the pre match tension that starts days sometimes weeks before a big day out. Knowing what your wearing ages before, debating which trainers and the weather conditions. I miss the night before, that moment you finish work having thought about nothing else all day. Nip in the local on the way home for a pint to take the edge off. You tell yourself dont get too giddy its a big one tomorrow. Few cans at home and get all your clobber ready. Cans in the fridge. I miss spending all night tossing and turning like a kid on xmas eve. Waking up with full on anxiety, couple or nervous shits and force some breakfast down. All you want is a can. I miss checking my pockets 300 times, tickets, money, phone, tickets, money, phone....(gear ) I miss being on the station platforn at daft o'clock, standing out like a sore thumb with a sack of cans while other folk are waiting with coffee on their way to work or somewhere much more civilised. I miss the journey, train or coach, with all the characters you havent seen since the last big away, all the different scenarios off the day whizzing round your head, everyone full of it and in fine form. I miss being on your 5th can at 10am I miss that moment you realise its gonna be 'one of those days' ...when every mad fucker past and present is out. I miss the pre match boozer, seeing fellas you only ever see at distant corners of the globe, handshakes and hugs like long lost friends, even though you're struggling to remember their name. All the tales, all the craic, all the chants. I miss the old bill wandering through with their cameras telling everyone to get to the match. I miss that walk to the ground as the fresh air hits, time to sober up and sort your head out. I miss the sound of police dogs, helicopters and the smell of burger vans. I miss the stewards patting you down and the clunking sound of the tursntiles. Theres always some lad being told hes too pissed to get in. I miss walking on the concourse to a scene of chaos, youths ballooning about, old boys singing old songs, the clamour for a quick pint before kick off I miss walking up the steps with our fans already in full voice I miss that buzz when the teams come out, bit of tickertape flying about and the players heading over to a packed away end, everyone singing and together. Hairs standing on end as you belt out wanderers all together in unsion. I miss thinking this is why we do what we do. I miss the half time queues for luke warm piss. I miss smoke bombs and pyrotechnics. I miss the sheer ecstasy and pandemonium when we score. Grabbing the person next to, whoever it is. I miss topling down stairs, getting crushed under bodies or dragged off a fence by overzealous stewards. I miss that deafening sound and segregation line charging when they score. Watchin their fans goad us and climb over netting. I miss taking it all personally. I miss the argy bargy afterwards, police dogs, police horses, "get back get back" being screamed by police in riot gear. I miss the delcline in mental state throughout the day. I miss getting home 24 hours after leaving the house. I miss not knowing the score till dinner time the next day. I miss feeling like death for a full week afterwards and vowing thats me done for the season Fuck me I miss it. I know you all do too folks. When the next one comes, its gonna be the away day of all away days. COYWM
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  12. Thanks for all the well wishes folks, my old man read every single one. Hes still a bit in shock with it all, worried he could've done more etc which is natural I suppose. Hes going to sort something on the remembrance group later and Ill email the club. Roy actually played for Bolton in the 60s as he liked to tell my kids every week He was an entertainer by trade, comedian and organ player. Played The Stanley Arms in Blackpool which was the start of the Ma Kellys empire. Regularly played at BWSC events when we had meetings over this way. He did a gig at the opening of McGinlays in the 90s too. Roy Rolland the stage name, Roy Halliday proper. Just a few details folk might be interested in anyway. Love to all x
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  13. So. This time Iast year. I was a wreck. Youngest was here, I was crying all the time, lonely but had a fake smile plastered on my face. Fast forward 12 months and a lot has happened. It's been fucking hard but I can honestly say I am the happiest I've ever been. Other than having my children. Thank you for listening to me and offering advice. You may be a bunch of knobheads but you are a cracking bunch.
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  14. Well what a fucking experience that was. Feel like Ive just been to a parallel universe and back in the matter of 6 hours. Chaos in the stands, match suspended, last minute pitch carnage, a random punch up in their end, some old dude running about on the pitch on his own, racist abuse and tremendous stand against it, penalty saves, lads lay flat on their backs covered in blood, lads doing klinsmans on the pitch, lads being sick in the middle of a goal celebration, winds that strong goal kicks were going straight over the stands, torrential rain, blokes in shorts and T-shirts... Choose life Choose Bolton Wanderers.
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  15. Right then, I watched it live on Sky. Frightened the life out of the missus and half the fucking estate when Sarce scored. Swigging Flensburgers like a madman then the second went in and it was over to celebratory Moscow Mules. Pissed as a rat by midnight singing out on my balcony with the BWFC flag on display (some on here have proof! 😄). Quietly sitting around recovering on Sunday, the dawn of realisation started to set in. Absolutely remarkable what the club has achieved. Not just the players, owners, management but most of all our magnificent loyal supporters. That Morecambe day was pivotal. As others have said, a few of the squad suddenly would have realised what this club means on that day. European Super League? Fuck off. BWFC are a prime example of what football is about and don't you ever forget it. Proud.
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  16. I’ve sat with my mum who is slipping away, literally breathing her last today. She idolises the Queen, and whilst she didn’t in all likelihood hear that, I know she would have loved every single word. When she said ‘we’ll meet again’ I lost it and don’t think I’ll recover for a long time. Lost.
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  17. My take on mental health issues: in November 2019 I was diagnosed with a condition, Ataxia, which affects around 10,000 in the UK, there are different versions and strains, the one I have is Sensory Ataxia, I was given 12 months to live, during tests and scans into the condition I was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung cancer and started chemo in March 2020, the start of lockdowns, believe me my head was in bits but I kept it pretty much to myself, I know I put stuff on FB when I was having the chemo and the words of hope from people was amazing, kept me going. I got the all clear in February 2021 from the cancer, the Ataxia was doing it's best to destroy my Central Nervous System rendering me almost unable to walk at all. On top of this I was told not to go in work as I was too vulnerable, work from home. Again my head was in bits, stuck at home day after day, at first my mates would ring or call round for a brew, that stops as they get bored, I didn't see anyone except my wife and daughter and her kids, I was drinking more and more and felt more and more depressed. My consultant said "we are winning because you are still here". >>I went to Salford Royal on Saturday afternoon (yesterday) for more tests and again he was pleased to see me, next week I have my 5th dose of chemo because the cancer came back in March this year and the chemo started again, my brain is producing poisonous cells that are destroying my Nervous System, the chemo and steroids etc are doing their best to counteract everything, again he said "you really really shouldn't still be here". So for me I think I have handled my mental health reasonably well apart form the bout of heavy drinking, oh and I start a new job om 8th August which is also contributing to my mental health recovery. People are different so they react and act to handle it in their own way. Sorry for the long post
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  18. And as for this tiresome bollocks about pathways in our last two tournaments, do people not realise theres a reason we got those pathways? We avoided groups of death becasue we won every single game in qualifying. What should Southgate do, say nah we want to play some big boys and ask for a harder route? We didnt waste fuck all, we got to the semi of a world cup and within 3 shit penalties away from winning the euros. We beat anyone put in front of us, and didnt lose a game in the euros. Fuck me we stumbled our way to a semi in italia 90 and euro 96, but folk wank themselves senseless over them. Think we need to get a petition going, we want our group changing for Qatar. We want Brazil, France and the harlem fuckin globetrotters first up, so all our negative Nellies cant moan the moment we lose a final.
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  19. Just catching up with news on here, been a shit week, brother-in-law (Bolton fan, season ticket holder) passed away last weekend. Pissed up tonight and a bit emotional. 3 points tomorrow for him will do nicely. Don't want to be dealing with any more negative shit, so I'll not be on here if we lose. It's going to be very tough tomorrow without some key players, hope this is taken into account before folk start piling in with doom and gloom and criticism. BWFC should be our happy place to go to when times are shit. And if it doesn't go our way it's not the end of the world, just remember that before you start on Evatt, Vic, Maghoma, Taylor, Coleman or whichever player takes your fancy, all of them will be going out there to do the best for the club we love. COYFWM
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  20. Been a wanderers fan all my life, born into it with a family full of Bolton fans and have kept a keen eye on wanderers ways for years however never posted. This deserves my first posting. Grew up with Adam during school days amd I am very close friends with his Brother. Gutted is an understatement to what has happened. My heart goes out to his family and all that knew him. Shocked to the core. Once in Never out. RIP Adam
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  21. After 12 weeks, the missus is finally home tomorrow Little one is going to be very excited
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  22. Fuck me we lose one game without a full strength team against a team of shit houses who shithoused themselves half way through the last tournament and the knives are out. It was just one of them nights. Get a grip ffs. As for the booing mounts, maybe you should do some research on Hungarian politics and whats going on there before cheering on racists litte gobshites booing our players? Full blown Nazi movements are taking place over there. They subejected our own players with racist abuse at our last game there ffs. Their 3rd political party is making massive gains, they are currently trying to get bank holiday passed to honour men killed fighting for the Nazis. Them kids booing is utterly fucking frightening. They should have been there in shame, not celebrating the reason it was just kids in the first place. Racist little cunts.
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  23. See the holier than thou nob heads are out in force once again. Sitting there watching ifollow on your dodgy fire sticks slagging fans that were there. You're the fuckin M0ngs. Last minute goals on the back of an utterly shit game with 2.3k fans backing us all the way is why we do it. If you dont like it fuck off and watch Rugby or summet you sad cunts.
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  24. Happy Christmas from Boltons future signing. He'll be doing sliding tackles all round my boy, I will make sure of it 👍
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  25. Update from Neils Daughter Hi Horwich! Just letting you and the rest of wanderers ways know that my mums fundraiser has hit £5,000! It wouldn’t have been possible without all of you, so thank you so much. My dad is currently with us at home, he’s stable but still end of life. He doesn’t seem to be wanting to go anywhere else anytime soon, which is just his stubborn self summed up 🤣🤣.
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  26. Ive seen a lot of posts of people being annoyed at the consistency of players kneeling in support of equality in society, it’s not civil rights It isn’t BLM it’s equality. Equality. so equality in sport. No not people getting better privileges as a player and being recognised for his skill and not because he’s a different colour Football is the most watched sport in the world, if the world world tunes in to watch Rashford, Kane, Ronaldo, Messi and the moment before, one person see These players take a knee and that provokes a thought, then it works. You can’t stop talking about issue because you’re tired of seeing it If you’re tired of seeing black men protesting for equality imagine how much black men are tired of seeing injustice for equality it’s a small thing to do to raise awareness Feel free to delete this or move it but I couldn’t sit back and not say anything
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  27. I think an original Youri "tophat" sketch would cheer up the nation, or maybe the one of Nolan doing some pointing...
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  28. Me laddo sorted for his day at nursery 👍🏻
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  29. His mum's rang me today, it was natural causes. It doesn't make it any easier for me, my best mates still not here. Hope it makes it easier for his family though knowing he didn't leave them.
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  30. If you boo or ironically cheer your own player getting substituted you are an absolute fucking nob head.
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  32. Thanks so much for all the messages folks. Honestly means the world. Fuck me my head proper went with it all. Everyone's been sound as fuck and been inundated with offers of help for and well wishes etc. Weve had an array of messages of a few different customers saying fuck the windows off for a bit but we will still be paying you. Utter madness and blows my mind how ace people can be. More importantly our kid seems in a better place today after some seriously heavy days. Reckon yesterday was his lowest ebb, not helped by his precarious bowel movements Ive had chat with occupational health today about rigging his house up downstairs. Be like DIY SOS with every tradesmen The Golden Eagle has to offer doing his gaff up. Seen a few replies on here re insurance, yes hes got cover for 12 weeks as part of his life cover, not sure where he stands as we are limited company and will still have funds running through the business? All that will get sorted. Hes got time on his hands now Hes in on Friday for his heel op and back in for his right leg next week. Thanks again to all who replied on here and elsewhere. ....fuck it Im off to Lanzarote to lie on a sunbed for 10 days on weds and prepare for the abyss of winter. Like a warm weather training camp.
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  33. @Happy Wandererleft the site in a good place so any costs have been covered til now Day to day efforts of the site admin are free gratis but we do need to cover some hosting costs and other things that i dont understand we will set up a donation button, with all excess monies directed to Bolton Hospice ill update when @Zicogets his arse in gear
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  34. Ooh I never win owt. Donate my winnings to your charities pal, split as you both see fit.
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  35. Bolton Wanderers Remembrance Group Joanne Mather · 1h · Dads - Al Mather funeral will take place next Friday the 8th of April. Als main request is for nobody to wear black. Casual wear only or Bolton Wanderers football wear. We will be leaving dad's flat in Bolton at 2.45pm onto overdale crematorium Bolton. The service be will at 3.15pm in the east chapel. We are expecting alot of people there and unfortunately the Chapel is small. We have arranged for speakers outside and it will be streamed for his friends who live around the world and those that cannot sadly make it. We will then be making our way to the vulcan Inn pub, 10 junction Road, Bolton, bl3 4lt to celebrate dad's life. Dad wants a disco/karaoke with no sadness to be had. He would like Ivan to lead the lads to sing a few football songs at his celebration. He also wants everyone to know that he's now at peace, no more pain and back with his grandad Joe, Alan paki parkin, franny and all the other lads We are just having family flowers, any donations you would like to make in memory of my dad you can do so clicking on this link below. The charity we have chosen is the charity my dad set up Bolton Wanderers Remembrance Group. The group helps people in all kinds of way in and around Bolton and right now me and my family during our bereavement in more ways than one I will be forever greatful to them. Thankyou from the bottom of my heart! http://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/allanmather
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  36. @Cheese i have to say this to you, this is a very hot topic which some people won’t put their neck on the line , you will have people who for whatever reason will disagree with the knee, or not understand the condemning of the boo, and you know what that’s fine, it’s a minority and they leave themselves open to interpretation with their opinions. As a black man who works in football I know I can come across very opinionated on the subject and I get people are probably sick of me defending the knee, and outside looking in I know there are people on here thinking blah blah blah yawn yawn change the record Rudy, but in all honesty I don’t care, it feels a little lonely sometimes fighting a battle which sometimes feels on your own. I get frustrated even got to a point recently where I’ve not wanted to post or even go to a game. I know I’m not on my own and I know I’m not the minority but I honestly can’t salute you and a few others( @DazBob @Casino ) , on here enough for speaking sense, and speaking up. That’s what keeps me on here that’s what keeps me going to games. Felt weird having to explain to my kid sister what the monkey emojis mean, why people have a problem with skin colour, it’s 2020 ffs Some of your posts on this topic have made me proud to be a Black Wanderers supporter. “Woke” “virtue signalling” or any other of that bollocks, that is just a way of people trying to shut people up on a topic they either agree with or are sick of hearing about. You’re alright by me, it would be my pleasure to buy you a beer. And for what it’s worth coming off Social media, ignoring it, get on with football, this is what got said to basketballer Lebron James in America a few years ago. A news anchor on Fox News told him to shut up and dribble, because apparently when a issue strikes you and you’re a highly paid sportsmen you’re supposed to just get on with your job and ignore any form of abuse like you’re a sportsmen first and human being second. And to the people who are Tired of hearing about it, good, it ain’t going away, we’re tired of dealing with it.
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  37. Happy’s daughter has just posted this on facebook 😢 Would just like to thank everyone so much for all the donations, we are absolutely over the moon. My dad can’t read or write anymore, so we have been reading him all your messages and he’s been smiling knowing how much everyone cares about him. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you ❤️
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  38. Appologies for not posting for a while. I've had enough of this site for bit, it's too political for me and unfortunatley I've got 3 old members of the family who caught this last week (all doing ok so far), which has put things into perspective for me, so this is my last post for a bit. Main things to remember are; Covid 19 is a mild illness for many, lasting less than a fortnight for most but according to ZOE; For 1 in 50 it can result in symptoms for more than 3 months and unfortunatley hospitalisation and death for some of those. 1 in 20 suffer symptoms for 8 weeks or more. This isn't what happens with seasonal flu. Hospitalisation and treatment saves lots of lives, without it many more of the 1 in 50 would die. Having large numbers of additional folk requiring help puts burden on the NHS, financially and logistically, which impacts on the % who die from all causes. In the Northern Hemisphere, The spread/hospitalisations/deaths is going to get worse before it gets much better, January is predicted to be the peak (unless we have a restrictions that flatten the numbers beforehand). The best way of reducing viral spread is by lifestyle changes and rigourous self isolation with symptoms / positive tests / suspected infected. Aerosol spread is one of the main forms of transmission - the virus can hang in the air for hours in poorly ventilated areas - staying 2 meters away from folk is good practice but if you spend any length of time indoors without a mask on, in areas where multiple people have already breathed, your chance of catching the virus rises, a lot. "Covid Secure" premises and social distancing practices don't prevent transmission, they simply reduce the perceived chance of catching the virus - if you want to reduce the chance further, don't go in the building in question, do stuff outside, reduce the number of people you come into contact with (directly and indirectly) things to do Vitamin D, Zinc good Sleep lose weight if fat avoid crowded indoor areas without masks reduce travel get the windows open the most likley place you are going to catch this, is in your house, from someone who's caught it in an indoor area in the community. Ignore the bullshit from both sides, the media is full of cranks, shock jocks who care about advertising revenue, want to sell books, people who have a selfish interets in the latest restriction impact / political axe to grind. Fauci, Sage, Whitty and Valance, Van Tam, Dr John Campbell, Tim Spector are examples of folk who change their advice with the emergence of new data, this shows they are trustworthy in my book. The economy will recover ultimatley, it always does to some extent, it's not going to be good for many but it will get better. Less Viral spread = better economy. see you in a few weeks.
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  39. Right I usually hate it when people do this but I'm going to do it anyway. A quote from a bloke I like watching on YouTube. ' If we commemorate one thing, then that should presumably be the biggest human event that affects us today. The biggest event in human history was World War Two. It was the biggest war, the deadliest war, the most widespread war and the event that changed the world the most. At the start of the war, Russia was a sleeping bear, Britain was the most powerful nation on the planet, and Germany was a brutal dictatorship. At the end of the war, The USSR was a superpower that rivalled its arch enemy the USA, and the USA was tremendously wealthy. In the 1930s, the USA was in economic crisis. In the 1950s, the Russian and British precious metal reserves were in Fort Knox, and American teenagers had cars. The British economy was wrecked, and India was well along the road to independence. The political situation of the world had changed. Germany was a peace-loving democracy. Worldwide, there has been peace since WW2. Yes, there have been many localised wars, but nothing like the wars of old. When the people fought, they fought (in the main) for peace. That was the stated aim of the Allies. The British population consented to conscription. It was understood that this was a peace worth fighting for. Sixty million people died, and many more were wounded, bereaved, made homeless, but it was understood that there was some purpose behind the struggle. The war achieved a lasting peace. NATO was formed. For the first time, trials were held for 'crimes against humanity'. A war like this was not to happen again. So far, it hasn't. I grew up never fearing that the French were about to invade. Wars were things that happened far away. What has kept the peace for the last 75 years in Europe? Not nuclear weapons, not treaties, they may have helped, but in the main it was World War Two. At the start of the war, the RAF had Gloster Gladiator biplanes. At the end, it had Glostor Meteor jet fighters. The leap in technology was stupendous - greater than in any other period of the same length. If you want to understand the world as it is today, you have to know about World War Two. It explains the borders of nations, the technology, the political relationships. If you want people to understand the world, they have to remember what created it, and so it is important to remember World War Two. It is a little bit of a pity that VE Day is the day to do it, since VJ Day was still to come. One day to cover the whole war better would be ideal, but a day had to be picked, and it is VE Day, which is understandable. For the British, it was closer to home. Today, we have a one-day holiday to mark VE Day. And why should the British in particular remember this day? Because Britain risked it all, and damn near lost it all. In 1940, France fell in a couple of weeks, and the French surrendered and swapped sides. The French navy refused to carry on the fight and join the British, and went to war with Britain. The Germans held massive victory parades because the war was over and they had won. Russia was allied to Germany - one brutal dictatorship hand-in-hand with another. Britain was surrounded. To the east, France was ruled from Vichy with an Axis government, and the Netherlands and Belgium were conquered. To the north, Norway and Denmark were conquered too, with Quisling ruling Norway on the Axis side, and German battleships pouncing from the fjords, and airbases in range of Blighty. To the south was Spain, ruled by Franco and his Axis dictatorship. To the west was the wide cold Atlantic across which the Americans refused to join the war, completely convinced that if the British fought on, they would last but a few days. A US Gallop poll showed that the American public was evenly split over which side in the war was in the right. It was over. The world had lost, and even Britain had for a while thrown in the towel. But then the nation changed direction, and made a decision that the whole world, including much of Britain at the time, thought was completely bonkers. Britain would honour her treaty with Poland and fight on, alone if need be, and at that time, she was completely alone. So be it. Fuck Hitler, and fuck everybody else who was doing nothing. For the next two years, Britain limped from one defeat to the next, but kept going. Commonwealth nations answered the call and joined in. The British Indian army eventually became the biggest volunteer army of all time. Troops gathered, to fight against fascists and Nazis, from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond. The tiny fortresses of Gibraltar (expected to last two days) and Malta held out for the entire war, despite horrendous suffering. All this effort was worth it, right? Tell me it wasn't for nothing. Tell me that the young women parachuted into France at night to organise the French resistance, many of whom were caught and shot but never betrayed their contacts - tell me that they weren't just silly girls having an adventure. Tell me that the stupendous loss of life in Stalingrad had some purpose to it. If not, then think about what this means - that you presumably don't think it important whether we are ruled by Nazis or not, or that perhaps you prefer non-Nazi regimes on the whole, but are unwilling to show the tiniest bit of gratitude for the astounding generation that fought World War Two and against the odds and all expectations managed to win it for us. We are rich because of World War Two, we are safe because of World War Two, we are free and British because of World War Two. I get to be a YouTuber because of World War Two (I doubt the Nazi Party would have approved of user-generated content). Why am I writing this? Not because it is VE Day, but because I last week heard actual British adults saying that commemorating VE Day was a stupid waste of time, since everyone who fought in the war is now dead. Well, some of them are not dead, actually, but even if they were, that is no excuse.'
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  40. It’s amazing how quickly folk forget how much hard work has been put in by Evatt and his team since he came here and how far the team and squad has come, replace him and get the wrong manager and back room team in its amazing how quickly things can unravel and implode. It would be utter madness to get rid of Evatt.
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  41. I did, and it was. I’m not going into it all again - Eddie was a saint, some will choose to believe some conspiracy theory about tax losses etc. but the short version is, we lost a hell of lot of money, mainly post Allardyce, there was no other avenue that money came in to cover those losses (bank loans etc.) and seeing as we didn’t go bump, cash was coming in to cover it. Eddie was the source of the cash, loaning it from his other companies, yes there was interest charged on some of the early loans (probably in the hope that he’d one day get it back when some rich Arab bought us) but it only accounted for about £35m of the overall £175m of loans. It ended badly because he had to turn the tap off at some point, he gave Freedman 2 years to get us up, otherwise he couldn’t / wouldn’t sustain the £20m a year losses. We didn’t go up and the rest is history - he still managed to add one further heroic deed by writing off his final £5m to get the deal done, days before he died. Unfortunately, because of the way it ended (he was just signing the cheques - it was others that were running us so badly), he will never be fully accepted as the hero that he was. He did more for us than anyone else in my lifetime (I am a relative young’n compared to you lot) than anyone else has.
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  42. I’ve not enjoyed the demise of anyone or anything as much as this since little Mo twatted Trevor with an iron in eastEnders every single minute of the pain and misery their shitty fanbase are going through is joyous. They’ve antagonised, demanded attention, bullied young and old and revelled in our struggles in their pathetic 40 odd years as a football league club i hope every single ‘tic’ in that cesspit of a shit hole town get their comeuppance and their tin pot club is ground in to the dust. wankers to a man.
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  43. My dads first game back following his stem cell transplant so hoping for a comfortable win to welcome him back gently
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  44. See you on Saturday boys 😎
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  45. Really disappointed with yesterdays result. The performance less so, but still not good enough as Evatt said in both boxes. As some have alluded to the reaction reaches both extremes after wins/defeats, the reality is somewhere in the Middle. Santos isn’t currently the best centre half outside the prem, nor has he turned into someone who needs dropping/getting rid of. He’s made 2 costly mistakes in 9/10 games. Short memories if people don’t think he can recover and come back to have a good season. Without writing a thesis there’s similar disparity with views/opinions on Lee, Evatt, Kachunga, Sadlier, Transfers. If at the beginning of the season you thought we we were going to finish mid-table then you should be pleased with the current form If you had us in the play-offs, after a difficult start to the season and with less fancied teams ahead, then the next month should have us there/thereabouts. If, like me, you thought the depth and quality of the current squad, together with a good end to last season/good pre-season, had us challenging for the top 2, then yes we’ll be disappointed and concerned. But if you were that positive to have us challenging for automatics, then surely you can be positive/realistic enough to see that things could change; players form will improve, injured players will give us a boost, Evatt will soon find our best 11/formation to suit, possible transfer additions will add quality and concerns in both boxes will be addressed on the training pitch. So what I’m trying to say is cheer up, it’ll be reet 😄
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  46. Said it before and I'll say it again, don't often comment on the football side of the forum as I'm not as football knowledgeable as you lads (well some of you 😁) but as a season ticket holder since 14 years old I've been there for the wonderful 90's rise and European days and then stuck it out, same as you all, for the grind that has been the last several years. I won't lie, it has been a genuine grind at times but Evatt and this team have made me fall back in love with going to the game again. Consistently excited about the next game to come and its fucking ace. Loved today again, a real feeling of togetherness throughout the squad, staff, owners and fans. I know everyone thinks their club is the greatest, but you don't know the true ups and downs and love of a club if you've not been part of this!!! And yes, I've been drinking heavily since the game. Enjoy your victorious evening fellow whites!!
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  47. I'm much more a lurker than a poster on WWs, reading everyone's input and opinions with genuine interest and open mindedness. With that in mind I must say that I've come to the considered conclusion that you are an utter plumb.
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