Sadly, at 2 o'clock this morning, my Dad gave up his fight against lung and bowel cancer and passed away in his sleep. For his sins, he was a Leeds supporter in the 60s and 70s. Mum went with him a few times and he took me to Elland Road when I was old enough. Then the fateful day in 1978. Allan Clarke was appointed Barnsley player manager. My Dad took me to Oakwell and we stood on the corner between the Ponty End and the West Stand. I was hooked and I told my Dad this is where I wanted to come. So that's what we did. So, in theory I converted Dad to a Barnsley supporter. Sadly he couldn't make it to the games in the last 10 years or so, but that didn't make him any less of a Barnsley fan. I still go to Mum and Dad's for my Dinner before each and every Barnsley game. The best story I've got of my Dad is of the day of the game at Anfield in January 1982. Dad took me and a schoolmate to the game. As everyone knows it was very foggy and there was a traffic jam on the M62. Dad got off the motorway at some random junction.... ""Where are we going Dad" "Following that van. It's going to Liverpool" says Dad. There were no markings on the van. No scarves or anything hanging out of the windows. Low and behold we pull into a car park near Anfield with 10 minutes before kickoff. So we managed to see the whole game. I still don't know how he did it. Thanks Dad. RIP
No matter the time of year it's ***** news mate. If your Dad knew he was loved (and I'm sure he did) and you can look back, think of him, and smile - that's as much as any of us can ask. My condolences mate, but he's not struggling anymore, he's not in pain any more and he'll always live on in your memories.