54th minute applause for a fellow Fox

[possiblygeorge]

I apologise in advance if this isn't the way to go about it.

 

A great mate of mine, Paul,  who I've spoken to on a regular basis through social media has passed away yesterday. Despite not having the pleasure of meeting him in person, he was very much like a close mate even like a close family member to me. 

 

I won't disclose details as it isn't necessary, but Paul was a lifelong Leicester supporter from Kettering and went to just about every home fixture as well as a few away fixtures in his time. 

 

If by chance our supporters could give him a minute applause in the 54th minute (Paul's age) for the next home match against Swansea it would mean a lot to his close friends and family. 

 

Paul would've been 55 just four days after the home fixture against Swansea in a couple of weeks time. 

 

I figured this would've been the perfect birthday gift for him and to let his family and friends know he'll always be a Fox for as long as the Club exists. I've received consent from a family member to try to have this arranged. 

 

Please can we make this happen?

 

Then, now and forever. RIP Paul. 

 

 

[1972 Fox]

RIP Paul.

 

[kushiro]

Sorry mate, I'm not going to beat around the bush here - I'm sorry that your friend has passed away, but this trend worries me.

 

There are around 30,000 people who follow Leicester regularly - and thousands more like me who count themselves as lifelong fans but can't get to see games. It doesn't take much calculation to work out that if every fan who died was given a minute's applause, we'd need to commemorate about 15 or 20 people at each and every home game. Yep - about one every five minutes of every match at the KP. Each and every one of those people has no doubt devoted a huge amount of time and emotion to their life long passion - and each and every one will leave behind bereaved friends and relatives who would like to see their loved one commemorated in a special way. But as it simply isn't feasible to do this in the way you suggest for large numbers, it's surely better to keep the bereavement process a private matter.

 

Everton (and other clubs?) recognize this and have an annual day of remembrance, where the names of all those that passed away in the past year (it's several hundred) are shown on the big screen. It seems the appropriate way to do it, and maybe we should do it at Leicester too.

 

 

 

 

[possiblygeorge]

15 minutes ago, kushiro said:

Sorry mate, I'm not going to beat around the bush here - I'm sorry that your friend has passed away, but this trend worries me.

 

There are around 30,000 people who follow Leicester regularly - and thousands more like me who count themselves as lifelong fans but can't get to see games. It doesn't take much calculation to work out that if every fan who died was given a minute's applause, we'd need to commemorate about 15 or 20 people at each and every home game. Yep - about one every five minutes of every match at the KP. Each and every one of those people has no doubt devoted a huge amount of time and emotion to their life long passion - and each and every one will leave behind bereaved friends and relatives who would like to see their loved one commemorated in a special way. But as it simply isn't feasible to do this in the way you suggest for large numbers, it's surely better to keep the bereavement process a private matter.

 

Everton (and other clubs?) recognize this and have an annual day of remembrance, where the names of all those that passed away in the past year (it's several hundred) are shown on the big screen. It seems the appropriate way to do it, and maybe we should do it at Leicester too.

 

 

 

 

I completely understand that and I don't disagree.

 

Paul was more than just a mate to me, he got me through the darkest days of my life while I went through a stage of depression. He kept me going. 

 

I never had a chance to say goodbye to him or tell him how much he meant to meant or his friends and family. He was a huge impact in our lives.

 

It's four days before his birthday would've been and it just seems fitting it'd be the perfect goodbye, a club he's loved all his life applauded by people he also loved. I don't want to make this look like a sob story, but Paul really was a huge influence in everyone's lives that knew him. 

[norwichfox]

32 minutes ago, kushiro said:

Sorry mate, I'm not going to beat around the bush here - I'm sorry that your friend has passed away, but this trend worries me.

 

There are around 30,000 people who follow Leicester regularly - and thousands more like me who count themselves as lifelong fans but can't get to see games. It doesn't take much calculation to work out that if every fan who died was given a minute's applause, we'd need to commemorate about 15 or 20 people at each and every home game. Yep - about one every five minutes of every match at the KP. Each and every one of those people has no doubt devoted a huge amount of time and emotion to their life long passion - and each and every one will leave behind bereaved friends and relatives who would like to see their loved one commemorated in a special way. But as it simply isn't feasible to do this in the way you suggest for large numbers, it's surely better to keep the bereavement process a private matter.

 

Everton (and other clubs?) recognize this and have an annual day of remembrance, where the names of all those that passed away in the past year (it's several hundred) are shown on the big screen. It seems the appropriate way to do it, and maybe we should do it at Leicester too.

 

 

 

 

Are you expecting a some sort of pandemic or an enemy attack for so many City supporters to all die within a fairly close time? I have no idea how many of our fans die per season, but I sincerely hope we are not losing 20 to 30 per fortnight.

 

I agree with your sentiments though @Kushiro and the clapping respect is probably best kept for those that were clubs staff for a considerable length of time and very special cases.

 

R.I.P. Paul

 

 

[Colourmy]

3 minutes ago, norwichfox said:

Are you expecting a some sort of pandemic or an enemy attack for so many City supporters to all die within a fairly close time? I have no idea how many of our fans die per season, but I sincerely hope we are not losing 20 to 30 per fortnight.

 

I agree with your sentiments though @Kushiro and the clapping respect is probably best kept for those that were clubs staff for a considerable length of time and very special cases.

 

R.I.P. Paul

 

 

1

I don't think that would be too far off for deaths in Leicestershire or deaths of people from Leicestershire who live elsewhere and may still support Leicester.

I agree with Kushiro on this. A remembrance day is much more achievable.

[Voll Blau]

Sorry to hear of your loss, he was clearly someone very dear to you.

 

I think the issue with these is they are so dictated by what's actually going on in the game at that point too - sometimes they catch on and sometimes they don't. For example, the other week there were meant to be 18th and 84th minute applauses for Paul Taylor, while someone else was trying to organise one in the 63rd minute (I think?) for someone else. As far as I remember, none of them happened or certainly didn't catch on. However, I'd have felt a little uncomfortable if one of them had, and we'd all joined in, but the other hadn't.

 

The intentions of people who organise these are obviously genuine and these pleas are put out with a good heart in a bid to remember those dear to them, but the reality is you are inadvertently asking tens of thousands of other people to make a judgement on whether someone they didn't know's life is worthy of a minute of their time - and if that doesn't come off (because word doesn't get round, there's an exciting moment in the game at that specific time or whatever) then people expecting a huge tribute to their loved one or friend are going to inevitably end up disappointed afterwards.

 

The idea of a remembrance day is definitely something which would benefit grieving fans though, and hopefully the OP and those who knew Paul can honour him in a fitting way - which I'm sure they will.

Edited 23 January 2018 by Voll Blau

[Sol thewall Bamba]

30 minutes ago, norwichfox said:

I agree with your sentiments though @Kushiro and the clapping respect is probably best kept for those that were clubs staff for a considerable length of time and very special cases.

This is the issue though, what constitutes a "very special case"? Who decides who gets a minutes applause and who doesn't? As Voll says I feel somewhat awkward if some catch on and others don't. 

[norwichfox]

3 minutes ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

This is the issue though, what constitutes a "very special case"? Who decides who gets a minutes applause and who doesn't? As Voll says I feel somewhat awkward if some catch on and others don't. 

I'm thinking maybe a youngster that was City mad and lost a battle with the dreaded Cancer. Not every ex Staff member would get a good reception either...imagine how it would be for Peter Taylor and Denis Wise. As to who decides, perhaps it should be done through the club to get the necessary "support" and not on the FT forum.

[Balj]

I think an annual day of remembrance with names across the screens is the way to go - of course I am totally sorry for anybody's loss but ad hoc applause risks not being caught on by most of the crowd and that is no way to remember a loved one.  The crowd sang through Bocelli's performance when we won league so getting 30k or so on the same page is not easy..

[UpTheLeagueFox]

Sorry for the loss of your friend @possiblygeorge. He despised every breath in my body so I'm sure he wouldn't expect me to approve of a minute's applause for him. That said, it's always very sad when one of our own fans goes too soon and I hope he finds peace, positivity and happiness in the next world (if the next world exists of course).

[Gerard]

4 hours ago, norwichfox said:

Are you expecting a some sort of pandemic or an enemy attack for so many City supporters to all die within a fairly close time? I have no idea how many of our fans die per season, but I sincerely hope we are not losing 20 to 30 per fortnight.

 

I agree with your sentiments though @Kushiro and the clapping respect is probably best kept for those that were clubs staff for a considerable length of time and very special cases.

 

R.I.P. Paul

 

 

 

I've not looked it up but I'd guess a minimum of 1.5% of the population die every year.

 

Over 30,000 regular match goers that would be 450 a year and that's just fans who go to the match. We're statistically losing 1-2 match going fans per day on average because of death.

[Bluetintedspecs]

Sincere condolences  to yourself and all family and friends.

As some have alluded to it's a difficult one if there is is little or no response this could cause unwanted upset!

Maybe there could be a compromise solution and one that could also encompass the greatest achievement in the clubs history ie applause 15/16th minutes to also pay tribute to any fallen foxes? Just an idea to remember and pay tribute on all fronts!

[fox in the sox]

Quote

 

I agree with what has been said - we really can't have applause for every City fan who passes away. If a rememberance day could be organised each year that would be great. It is sad to hear of your loss but I can only give my honest thoughts.

[stripeyfox]

7 hours ago, possiblygeorge said:

I apologise in advance if this isn't the way to go about it.

 

A great mate of mine, Paul,  who I've spoken to on a regular basis through social media has passed away yesterday. Despite not having the pleasure of meeting him in person, he was very much like a close mate even like a close family member to me. 

 

I won't disclose details as it isn't necessary, but Paul was a lifelong Leicester supporter from Kettering and went to just about every home fixture as well as a few away fixtures in his time. 

 

If by chance our supporters could give him a minute applause in the 54th minute (Paul's age) for the next home match against Swansea it would mean a lot to his close friends and family. 

 

Paul would've been 55 just four days after the home fixture against Swansea in a couple of weeks time. 

 

I figured this would've been the perfect birthday gift for him and to let his family and friends know he'll always be a Fox for as long as the Club exists. I've received consent from a family member to try to have this arranged. 

 

Please can we make this happen?

 

Then, now and forever. RIP Paul. 

 

 

Sorry for your loss, he was obviously a close friend of yours.

 

Having said that, these things do need a bit of a "backstory" to gain traction. People want to know a bit about the person otherwise it just feels a bit "false"? I wouldn't expect the stadium to applaud me if I died tomorrow, even though I am a "lifelong" fan. That in itself, it not enough.

 

Certain deaths "grab" the public attention more than others and these tend to be the ones which are successful in achieving their aim if that is the right word.

 

Truly sorry for your loss and also would like to say love you videos mate - brilliant stuff.

 

[Captain...]

7 hours ago, possiblygeorge said:

I apologise in advance if this isn't the way to go about it.

 

A great mate of mine, Paul,  who I've spoken to on a regular basis through social media has passed away yesterday. Despite not having the pleasure of meeting him in person, he was very much like a close mate even like a close family member to me. 

 

I won't disclose details as it isn't necessary, but Paul was a lifelong Leicester supporter from Kettering and went to just about every home fixture as well as a few away fixtures in his time. 

 

If by chance our supporters could give him a minute applause in the 54th minute (Paul's age) for the next home match against Swansea it would mean a lot to his close friends and family. 

 

Paul would've been 55 just four days after the home fixture against Swansea in a couple of weeks time. 

 

I figured this would've been the perfect birthday gift for him and to let his family and friends know he'll always be a Fox for as long as the Club exists. I've received consent from a family member to try to have this arranged. 

 

Please can we make this happen?

 

Then, now and forever. RIP Paul. 

 

 

Really sorry for your loss, you might be better off contacting the club, see if they can put a message  up before the game or half time. Or make a flag and see if someone from UFS will add it to their collection at the back of the kop, that would be a fitting and more permanent tribute. There is also a memorial garden at the KP.

 

Minutes applauses are getting more and more frequent and less and less meaningful and it is very easy for a minutes applause to fall on it's arse due to fan apathy or on field action.

[Guest Harrydc]

That's a great idea. Union FS sort flags at the back of KOP every game so you could make a custom made one in his honour and he will be with us every game. And sorry for your loss mate.

Edited 23 January 2018 by Harrydc

[KingsX]

Sorry for your loss.  I hope the memory of someone so special helps sustain you.

 

All -- Nicely discussed with honesty, empathy and intelligence.

 

There's some forums where this sort of OP could turn into a train wreck.  Glad I hang on this one.

[possiblygeorge]

Thank you everyone for the feedback, I'll pass on the positive messages to Paul's family. 

 

Paul went under the name as "FoxyFilbert00" on Twitter. He had a problem with his back, went into hospital in a world of pain and was put on morphine and sent home with an IV. What started off as what sometimes can be something minor and heals with time he had to go back to the hospital due to other affects, I won't say what the cause of the affects were as I'm not sure and don't want to get it wrong. Paul was in hospital the second time and sadly suffered two heart attacks while in there. 

 

His nephew sat by his side holding his hand before he passed. It's still something we're all trying to come to grips with especially something that started off so innocuous.

 

I don't disagree with the above talk either, I wasn't aware it was a constant thing with people trying to get a minutes applause for their lost loved ones. 

[sylofox]

11 hours ago, kushiro said:

Sorry mate, I'm not going to beat around the bush here - I'm sorry that your friend has passed away, but this trend worries me.

 

There are around 30,000 people who follow Leicester regularly - and thousands more like me who count themselves as lifelong fans but can't get to see games. It doesn't take much calculation to work out that if every fan who died was given a minute's applause, we'd need to commemorate about 15 or 20 people at each and every home game. Yep - about one every five minutes of every match at the KP. Each and every one of those people has no doubt devoted a huge amount of time and emotion to their life long passion - and each and every one will leave behind bereaved friends and relatives who would like to see their loved one commemorated in a special way. But as it simply isn't feasible to do this in the way you suggest for large numbers, it's surely better to keep the bereavement process a private matter.

 

Everton (and other clubs?) recognize this and have an annual day of remembrance, where the names of all those that passed away in the past year (it's several hundred) are shown on the big screen. It seems the appropriate way to do it, and maybe we should do it at Leicester too.

 

 

 

 

Not read all your post just the opening shot. But what gets me is the OP has never met the person. Yes I'm sad a fox has died but really expecting a tribute for someone you have never met. Please can we put a stop to this for 99.9% meaningless tribute. This one for me is a step to far.

[possiblygeorge]

Feel free to close thread mods. 

[Arkie Bennett]

While having due respect for the family and friends of any City fan who passes away, I think it is disproportionate and somewhat presumptuous to ask and expect 30,000 people, 99.9% of whom probably had no connection to that person when they were alive, to applaud a stranger. There seems to be more and more of these requests, which devalue the whole idea. It simply isn't reasonable. For me, the bereavement process is for those who knew the person and have genuine grief. An organised remembrance day is a far more realistic and proportionate way to pay respect to those who have passed away during the year, also it would be inclusive for those who died during the close season.

[Freeman's Wharfer]

The amount of times when one of these things happen people stand there applauding whilst saying "what's this for then?"...

 

There really are better, more meaningful, tributes you can make to your loved ones who have passed.

[FLAN]

9 hours ago, UpTheLeagueFox said:

Sorry for the loss of your friend @possiblygeorge. He despised every breath in my body so I'm sure he wouldn't expect me to approve of a minute's applause for him. That said, it's always very sad when one of our own fans goes too soon and I hope he finds peace, positivity and happiness in the next world (if the next world exists of course).

Any need for this?  If he didn’t like you and made that clear it’s not ideal but as people are grieving it seems you are trying to gain attention here. Rather odd in my opinion. Sometimes better to keep quiet 

[sylofox]

2 minutes ago, F1_AN said:

Any need for this?  If he didn’t like you and made that clear it’s not ideal but as people are grieving it seems you are trying to gain attention here. Rather odd in my opinion. Sometimes better to keep quiet 

If UTLF was trying to gain attention he would post under his own name. Imo he's told it how it was and said his good bye.