November 2014
8th November 2014, today was a very very special day, I unfortunately had to attend the funeral service of a local football legend, Mr Malcolm Thorley, the manager of Devonshire Park Wanderers and head of my a football league referee, Malcolm was not only one of my managers, he was an amazing guy, a true gent and without doubt a character but in a very very good way. Malcolm is now at peace with Albert and George probably sharing tactics as I write this. Yes it was an emotional day but it is true what was said in the service, Malcolm is no longer with us in body but in spirit I honestly believe he will go on and on and on and on (a bit like one of his team talks) in spirit if nothing else. It was sad that Malc wasn’t there in person to see so many of the lads that served him well throughout all the years of junior and senior Saturday and Sunday league football, I would also just like to say that through Malcolms death it brought the likes of Hodgey, Gibbo, Kev, Dougy, Wes, Egghead, Andy (Get back andy) hatton, Martin, Scrap, Scott, Rob Marr, Lomo, Daz G and even Potwash back together one more time (apologies If I have missed anyone) I know the likes of Glenn Wilkinson & Dave the Warrior Alderman would have been there if they could as even the barrier of thousands of miles would not have deterred them from being there. We all had good, found, funny and definitely laughable memories of his tactics, that Martin, Julie and Christin will treasure with the rest of us for ever. Little antidotes like “who complained that the ball was flat, when we were playing the league leaders?” one that I was guilty of because little did I know that Malc had done it on purpose to teach the giants that were offer ton united and offer ton green not to head it or even the time where Malcoms only advice on the morning of a torrential downpour on Torky was to “Play to the puddles, lads”
Well next time you witness a game on sodden turf, perhaps you will think of Malc, George & Gibbo one more time and instead of playing to the puddles you can perhaps pray to puddles instead. God Bless Malc and thank you.
12 Months on from doing my first ever public speaking event for Stroke at Duckinfield Town Hall & raising in excess of £20,000 it was a great evening and a team effort with Paul Edge & Big John by my side, Paul went on to have a TIA later in the month, but it was just a warning to slow him down as he was doing too much. What happened to those funds? Is that a common question of charity today?? Where does the money go? That is why the four of us got together because we believe can make a difference, why? because we are already doing it to help others.
So much has happened in the last 12 months and Im glad it did because it shows why we survive. Out of bad times, good times will prevail and life would be flat if it didn’t have its ups and downs.
If you would like to help us help others who are where we once were, then please please get in touch.
