On a bit of sombre note

You may remember a couple of posts from last summer and early autumn about my Dad being diagnosed with Lung Cancer. Much has happened since then, on and off the field. Sadly, I lost my Dad yesterday afternoon, he passed peacefully and quickly in Barnsley Hospice, a decent innings of 76. Whilst his initial treatment was pretty successful, though not curative, he developed secondary cancers in his brain which they treated as best as they could, but he also spent Easter in Barnsley Hospital with a perforated bowel, complications from Chemotherapy and steroids. Although we got him home, ultimately it was one battle too many, the fight in him went, and we nursed him to his passing as much as we could. His care has been excellent throughout and towards the end we valued the support from Macmillan and latterly the Hospice.

Friday was the last real day when I could talk to him, and it was lovely to see him smile as we talked about the good times we enjoyed as father and son (plus grandad for several years) going to Oakwell and many away games. You could see the pleasure on his face when talking about Glavin, McCarthy, Banks et al, and also his own favourite players from his younger days, especially Lol Chappel, Arthur Kaye and particularly Johnny Kelly. He fell out of love with football in the early nineties and hadn't seen the reds play since the Machin era. He still followed Barnsley with interest, but didnt recognise the modern game as something he wanted to be involved with. I'm saddened that I never got him back to Oakwell for one last time. My lad is a hooked season ticket holder, going since he was 4, now 17. So the cycle continues.

There are a few on the BBS who I won't name who have been tremdously supportive to me since I posted last year, I just want to say a humble Thank You. It's been so helpful.

I'll be at the Brentford game on Saturday. I'll need the company of the lads I go to Oakwell with, those familiar faces who sit around us. That's as much a part of match day for me as the match itself, even more so now. Barnsley Football Club, through all of the ups and downs, success and failure, optimism and harsh frustrating reality, has been a constant and important part of the routine of our lives, with always another game to look forward to regardless of what happened previously. It's not that the current predicament of the club doesn't matter, as a supporter it does. But it doesn't matter that much in the pecking order. Dark times in both life and for our football club make the good times so much more valuable. I've learnt more from the tougher times than when things were so good I didn't want them to end, but end they did.

RIP Dad.

 

Sorry for your loss, and it really puts everything into perspective that real life goes on win, lose or draw on the pitch. Football can be a welcome distraction sometimes and I hope the lads do your old fella proud against Brentford.

 

My condolences to you and yer family fella.

 

So sorry to hear your sad news - thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time

 

Really sorry to hear that mate. Condolences to you and your family.

 

No words. Take care of yourself and your family.

 

Sorry for your loss mate.I lost my dad 26 years ago and not a day goes by when I don't think of him.He took me to my first away game Doncaster Rovers away on a Friday night which we won 2-1.The day after his funeral we played Oldham in a preseason friendly and although my heart wasn't in it it seemed right for me to be there.Your memories will last you a lifetime.

 

Sorry for your loss, reading posts like this really do put football into perspective.

PS. Macmillan are fantastic. They were there during the last week's of a very good friend of mine.

 

So sorry to hear of your dads passing yesterday afternoon, condolences to you and the family ...

 

Thinking of you and yours at this sad time and wishing you all the best for the future.

 

Wow. What a post.
So sorry about events mate. It's a very hard time for you and the family. Stay strong and look after each other.

P.S. I am not ashamed to admit that reading your post has brought a tear to my eye.

R.I.P. your Dad.

 

Very sorry to hear that. RIP.

 

So sorry for your loss. Condolences to your family. I'm glad you were able to have that one last conversation with your dad, reminiscing on happier times. Thats something you'll be able to look back upon and treasure in the fullness of time.

 

Sincere condolences to you and yours..

 

Very sorry to hear about your loss. RIP.

 

Terribly sad, and sorry to hear of your loss.
Nice to hear that you're giving your own son those same, lifelong memories through the ups and downs of supporting your team.

 

Sorry to hear of your loss mate RIP to your dad.
Brings everything into perspective reading your post I know it’s no consolation but you have your memories and no doubt will treasure them .
All the best

 

Terrible news fella.

Don’t feel too bad that you didn’t take him to the Well one last time. Maybe focus on the enjoyment he had from the great players and wonderful sides he saw when he was younger.

Think about the legacy he passed on to you and your young un. We may have a crap team at the mo - but it’s our team. And it’s the best in the world.

COYR

 

Sorry to hear this, Andy. You know where I am mate.

 

Sincere condolences.