How terribly sad for you Jimmy. As others have said, your tribute is beautiful; sad, moving, yet enjoyable to share. That bond between generations at football is something very very special.
Jimmy So sad to read your news - so beautifully written and very poignant because I lost my Dad just before Christmas. My Dad lived in Charlton Lane in between the pub and Harvey Gardens - as a kid it looked like the floodlights were in the bottom of my Grandad's garden. Your list of games mirror my own - early days at the top of the East Terrace - the many trips to Selhurst, the full members cup final, the play-off final and those wonderful premiership years. Like you I was not sure I would want to go back without him but I am going this Saturday taking my son (a lifelong supporter), my daughter and the Mrs - it will be the first time all four of us been together because we want to see the memorial before the game to those supporters who have passed in the last 12 months including my Dad - God bless your Dad, my Dad and RIP - thank you for giving me Charlton to support and all those memories, thank you for taking me to my local team and not any of the other so called big teams - I am going to miss you so much and Saturday will really bring that home.
Jimmy So sad to read your news - so beautifully written and very poignant because I lost my Dad just before Christmas. My Dad lived in Charlton Lane in between the pub and Harvey Gardens - as a kid it looked like the floodlights were in the bottom of my Grandad's garden. Your list of games mirror my own - early days at the top of the East Terrace - the many trips to Selhurst, the full members cup final, the play-off final and those wonderful premiership years. Like you I was not sure I would want to go back without him but I am going this Saturday taking my son (a lifelong supporter), my daughter and the Mrs - it will be the first time all four of us been together because we want to see the memorial before the game to those supporters who have passed in the last 12 months including my Dad - God bless your Dad, my Dad and RIP - thank you for giving me Charlton to support and all those memories, thank you for taking me to my local team and not any of the other so called big teams - I am going to miss you so much and Saturday will really bring that home.
Jimmy, I just read about your Dad and got the most awful shock. I was interested in what you wrote but was not fully concentrating and it was only when i reached the end and saw the photo that I realised who you were talking about. I knew him well back in the seventies and eighties and we used to go to games together, both home away along with other friends like Kevin Smith, John Hurrell and Jim Parsons. I well remember travelling to Wrexham during that period and seeing us tanked 4-0 and lots of other games besides. We drifted apart during the Selhust years and saw less of each other in later times. When I last saw you , you were just a little lad and surely would not remember me. I know your Dad had been unwell but we spoke on the phone just before Christmas and he seemed his usual cheery self. We made vague plans to meet up but to my regret , had not done anything about it and now it is too late. I am so sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a super guy and a very good friend. Please accept my sincere condolences and pass my very best wishes to your Mum. Ian Wallis
I've wanted to thank you all for your amazing responses all week, but I can generally only get through a handful of posts before I have to take a break! It's all so moving. I also want to reciprocate the kind words from those who have also lost one of their own. It's important to know you are not alone.
I'm amazed at how far dad reached, given how much of a lazy bugger he was! This forum offered him an outlet, particularly at times when he wasn't able do a great deal else, and I'm so, so glad he made some people smile.
Thanks all.
PS Ian - great to hear from you. Of course I remember, hanging out with you at Selhurst. I'm sorry this was the way you found out but it's so hard to find the contact details of everybody, thank you ever so much for the post.
Tha's a lovely piece. I lost my dad last Apri, and can relate to almost all of your tribute. Even now, though the Valley has changed beyond recognition from how it was when we first went and stood at the bottom of the east terrace, there is a small part of it that I still share with him, and I'm sure you feel the same. It's more tan a bond, it's shared memories with a special person. RIP, and condolences to you and your family.
Jimmy, my Dad is long gone, and i suppose being realistic i'm the next to 'pop it' in my family - if i thought my son would write the sort of tribute about me that you have written for your Dad then i would be very proud. You are a credit to your Dad and this club that binds us. I think its our duty to bring our children and next generation through this club that we all love . Its OUR Heritage - its OUR club.
Wonderful to see Terry's name entered on today's roll-call, and better yet to see him shown as Terry (March51) Phippen. A rare highlight on a raw day at The Valley.
Today I met Fanny Fanackapan (and other half Richard), Paulie 8290, ken from bexley, Ledge, Airman Brown and seth plum, as well as my old mate John who drives down from Coventry to watch this stuff. I've also been in touch with Rossman92, our Wisconsin correspondent, and HantsAddick (mercifully for her snowbound and unable to attend). Thank you all, and of course Terry and his family, for being part of an afternoon otherwise better soonest forgotten.
So I wanted to give one last little update. I'm not keen to overdo this, I am so happy with all the support and positive messages I've received, I don't want to keep harping on. But I've had a couple of people ask and I felt it's relevant enough to mention.
We had the funeral last Wednesday. Dad's hearse was flanked by his Triumph motorbike pals (his other passion). We had a proper cortege that gave me a sense of what it's like to be the president (of a country that loves temperamental British bikes).
The flowers were largely red and white, and we carried him in to the tune of Red Red Robin, Billy Cotton-style. The three eulogies all had many Charlton references too. One of my cousins, who I rarely see, had apparently done his research, and quoted a number of people from this thread. Particularly AFKA, who pointed out that in the thousands of posts that dad made, he rarely, if ever, had a negative thing to say to anyone.
It was a point that really landed with me both when I read it, and again when my cousin said it, and was mentioned several times at the wake after. Certainly in the few days since, I've been much nicer to people! I hope this lasts. Anyway, thanks again for your support.
Comments
RIP March51.
RIP March.
And of course you must continue attending matches...cos now you'll be representing him.
Condolences to you and your family mate.
A wonderful loving tribute
So sad to read your news - so beautifully written and very poignant because I lost my Dad just before Christmas. My Dad lived in Charlton Lane in between the pub and Harvey Gardens - as a kid it looked like the floodlights were in the bottom of my Grandad's garden. Your list of games mirror my own - early days at the top of the East Terrace - the many trips to Selhurst, the full members cup final, the play-off final and those wonderful premiership years. Like you I was not sure I would want to go back without him but I am going this Saturday taking my son (a lifelong supporter), my daughter and the Mrs - it will be the first time all four of us been together because we want to see the memorial before the game to those supporters who have passed in the last 12 months including my Dad - God bless your Dad, my Dad and RIP - thank you for giving me Charlton to support and all those memories, thank you for taking me to my local team and not any of the other so called big teams - I am going to miss you so much and Saturday will really bring that home.
For all our cherished Dad's.......
Ian Wallis
I'm not even charlton but that's terrible news and sort of feel like I knew him.
Thoughts with you and yours Jimmy. Seemed a thoroughly good bloke. RIP
I'm amazed at how far dad reached, given how much of a lazy bugger he was! This forum offered him an outlet, particularly at times when he wasn't able do a great deal else, and I'm so, so glad he made some people smile.
Thanks all.
PS Ian - great to hear from you. Of course I remember, hanging out with you at Selhurst. I'm sorry this was the way you found out but it's so hard to find the contact details of everybody, thank you ever so much for the post.
Edit - spelling
RIP March51.
RIP, and condolences to you and your family.
You are a credit to your Dad and this club that binds us. I think its our duty to bring our children and next generation through this club that we all love .
Its OUR Heritage - its OUR club.
COYR.
Wonderful to see Terry's name entered on today's roll-call, and better yet to see him shown as Terry (March51) Phippen. A rare highlight on a raw day at The Valley.
Today I met Fanny Fanackapan (and other half Richard), Paulie 8290, ken from bexley, Ledge, Airman Brown and seth plum, as well as my old mate John who drives down from Coventry to watch this stuff. I've also been in touch with Rossman92, our Wisconsin correspondent, and HantsAddick (mercifully for her snowbound and unable to attend). Thank you all, and of course Terry and his family, for being part of an afternoon otherwise better soonest forgotten.
We are MANY - we are ONE.
We had the funeral last Wednesday. Dad's hearse was flanked by his Triumph motorbike pals (his other passion). We had a proper cortege that gave me a sense of what it's like to be the president (of a country that loves temperamental British bikes).
The flowers were largely red and white, and we carried him in to the tune of Red Red Robin, Billy Cotton-style. The three eulogies all had many Charlton references too. One of my cousins, who I rarely see, had apparently done his research, and quoted a number of people from this thread. Particularly AFKA, who pointed out that in the thousands of posts that dad made, he rarely, if ever, had a negative thing to say to anyone.
It was a point that really landed with me both when I read it, and again when my cousin said it, and was mentioned several times at the wake after. Certainly in the few days since, I've been much nicer to people! I hope this lasts. Anyway, thanks again for your support.