Gerald Smith RIP

I don't think he was a Charlton Lifer, but in case anyone knew him - I have just been shocked and immensely saddened to hear of the death of Gerald Smith who used to sit behind me in Row T, Block G of the East Stand. For the last thirteen years, seeing him and his daughter at The Valley has been part of my whole match day experience. He was a charming, modest and friendly guy and a totally dedicated supporter of CAFC - often at away games, reserve matches, and academy games. He had a wonderful relationship with his daughter, Rebecca, who I have watched grow from a giggly little six year old to the beautiful and smiling student she now is. Although she is at University she still came to most of the games with her dad and I will really miss their happy chatter behind me. Rebecca apparently rang the club today and asked them to get in touch with fans around them so that we wouldn't feel that she had and her dad had suddenly abandoned us and wonder why they are not be their seats next year.The club very efficiently got in contact  and told me the sad news. I have been in touch with her and she was, obviously, distraught and heart-broken at the loss of her beloved dad - he had gone in to hospital for a fairly routine operation on a valve in his heart. Unfortunately, everything that could go wrong, did go wrong and, after a week in intensive care, he died on Saturday. CAFC has lost a loyal supporter and my match days will never be quite the same again