Not football related, but please remember

safcftm · Post by **safcftm** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 10:52 pm

Sorry for this (and feel free to basement when necessary!) but I know people are a bit down about the football at the minute and I just thought I'd give a bit of perspective. This week I've had a great time at Arsenal v Sunderland at the Emirates in the away end, and then thoroughly enjoyed the company of the Gooners in Barcelona when Arsenal were robbed after a brilliant tactical display (in my opinion). Met a lot of good lads, had a lot of laughs, but all week I've been holding back tears even when the final whistle went and we had drawn at the Emirates

The reason for this is that I come from Stirling in Central Scotland and this Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of the murder of a girl I considered as close as a sister. Little Sophie North was murdered along with 16 others in the Dunblane massacre. She had lost her mother to cancer two years previously and was such a strong girl in coming to terms with it- her dad worked with mine and I spent time with her over this period (I was 6 years older and tried to help her whilst her Dad was consoled by mine) and I always promised her she'd be fine and that I'd make sure she had a great life, and have never forgiven myself for failing to fulfill the promises. Since then I've always wondered why it was her that was taken and not me (who went to nearby St Ninians Primary, who Hamilton was also apparently considering as a target) and I just thought I'd remind people that there's some shite talked around football where people wish footballers ill and call people scum and the likes, and that in the grand scheme of things it matters not one fucking bit

Anyway, sorry, I'm always emotional at this time of year, but if Arsenal lose in the FA Cup dont feel sorry for yourself, just go and see your friends and family and remember that all of us are lucky to have what we have and spare a thought for those who are no longer here to feel upset over such trivial matters http://www.thisisannouncements.co.uk/5848993

Like I say, sorry, I've been on the drink, basement and lock whenever you wish!

Henry Norris 1913 · Post by **Henry Norris 1913** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:06 pm

basement

just joking mate, I'm sorry for you loss. Don't blame yourself mate, what happened was terrible and out of your control.
RIP

M-50 · Post by **M-50** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:09 pm

It's good to release your emotions auld pal.

Tragedy does indeed shed a different perspective on life.

I've always tried (in recent times) to live by a standard where I think outside of the current cycle of life.

For instance; let's say there is a guy on a train coming home from a football match. He's watched his team lose, bitterly disappointed to an extent where he's angry. At one of the stops a man gets on with 3 children. They are boisterous as children can be and are mucking around. The football fan is pretty pissed off with all the commotion and he wonders why the fuck isn't the man/dad not stopping them. He says enough is enough and confronts the father asking to tone down the kids behaviour. The father turns around and says "I've just left the hospital where their mother has died, I can't find it in myself to tell them". Suddenly the football fan changes his entire complexion and thought process in an instance and realise f*ck my troubles are nothing compared to this.

People live day-to-day and rarely think before speaking, which is a shame, given the sadness and turmoil people suffer each day and not realising the person u are targeting could be one of them.

Good luck with Sunday mate. I'm sure she isn't far from your side

LyusN1 · Post by **LyusN1** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:12 pm

Something as heartfelt as this needs no apology. There really are things in life more important than football, although we so often forget it, and these things affect us all.

I've just spent a great four days in Barcelona (result notwithstanding) and, somewhat surprisingly to me, have come back feeling refreshed. OK so the match really, really wasn't what we wanted but it's only now that I see that the trip was really something that I needed and I am so grateful for it.

Reading this post has made me realise just how appreciative I truly am. It just took perspective.

With regards to your feelings of failure, you didn't fail to fulfil anything.

Sorrowful as it is, life on a whole encompasses a whole range of emotion and we know that you, I and we all owe it to Sophie and all those tragically taken to be thankful for what we have, thankful for what we had, and thankful for what we have to come.

I don't like to descend into clichÃ©s but the smallest ray of light can come from even the darkest day.

RIP Sophie North

safcftm · Post by **safcftm** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:15 pm

Henry Norris 1913 wrote:basement

just joking mate, I'm sorry for you loss. Don't blame yourself mate, what happened was terrible and out of your control.
RIP

I'm thankful for the bit of humour

Nah, it just always gets to me at this time of year- people saying Newcastle/ Spurs fans are scum when (believe it or not) a lot are just like us, Bendtners a *word censored* (mind, his miss was pretty bad!), the refs a bastard etc, hell people on here who all come on for the good craic end up slagging each other off and making personal threats and that, and you just end up thinking "for fucks sake lads, it doesnt fucking matter, get a fucking grip". Anyway, as I say, I'm always emotional at this time of March and am going to try and stay off the internet (particularly on Sunday) but ha'way lads, just try and get along and realise that we are all fucking lucky to have what we have. There's amazing people who aren't here now, there's people in Japan fighting for their lives, I know I sound a bit ridiculous because we all like a good rant on a forum (and I do plenty myself), and we can't always be thinking "someones worse off than me", but there's times when you just think it's a bit much and people should ease up a bit. Anyway, off me soap box now, sorry lads.

Thanks for the kind replies, they mean a lot.

augie · Post by **augie** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:28 pm

Christ that is a sad story

All around the world you see and hear of these type's of stories but it isnt until you know someone or talk to someone who was actually involved that you realise how horrific it really was.

Times like this even the likes of me are stuck for words........try and keep your chin up mate and do whatever you need to do to get through this time

Lee1 · Post by **Lee1** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:36 pm

Terrible loss, completely puts all of our mundane gripes and moans into perspective. Wish you every genuine comfort and solace. Hang in there

Post by **I Hate Hleb** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:02 am

Excellent post LyusN1 and it summed up what a lot of us feel.

Truely sorry for your loss safcftm and as stated above, no need to apologise. Hope you cope with what is a really sad situation.

leedsgooner · Post by **leedsgooner** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:06 am

Now THIS is what makes this forum great.

1989 · Post by **1989** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:06 am

Stories like this bring a bit of perspective. Nothing could ever make up for the loss of a loved one and as much as we love Football and get emotional about it, it all pales into insignificance when compared to things like this. But I'm sure you're stronger for it and I wish you all the best mate.

mrgnu1958 · Post by **mrgnu1958** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:29 am

SAFC"y...have you been to stirling mills shopping centre?
ITS FLIPPING GREAT

safcftm · Post by **safcftm** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:40 am

mrgnu1958 wrote:SAFC"y...have you been to stirling mills shopping centre?
ITS FLIPPING GREAT

thats tilly mate (and its sterling mills, not stirling), you want the thistle centre and the marches, proper stirling that is, we've got a HMV and everything

Post by **Belfast Boy** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 4:50 am

Excellent thread, not just the thread starter sharing something intimate which is obviously emotionally painful but the sentiments echoed thereafter, and in stark contrast to some of the recent slangin matches, epitomises what an off-the-beaten-track forum like this should be like......... a family, which despite the inevitable and as it happens, necessary difference of opinion, is something as Gooners we should never lose sight of, otherwise we might as well all be sheep and start followin United instead

Nice post SAFCFTM, I was just thinkin about this the other day as Sky are using the 15th anniversary to kick off the second series of Crimes That Shook Britain on Sunday night at 9pm with a special on Dunblane, and as a father the trailers brought a lump to my throat even now, the school photos of those 16 innocent faces and the realisation of the details of that morning's events is truly shocking

......... how unhinged someone would have to be to perpetrate such a crime defies belief, it was one of those remember where you were moments, and I can clearly recall everyone huddled round their radios in a huge aircraft factory in Belfast as word spread rapidly round the workforce - makes you shudder, sorry to hear you suffered a bereavement fella and all the best for Sunday

MutleyGooner · Post by **MutleyGooner** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 7:23 am

A very heart felt post SAFC which needs no apology. Probably the right post at the right time for this forum, a stark reminder to people of how fortunate we are if all we have to worry about is how well our football team are doing. Thanks for putting this weeks failings into perspective

Post by **REB** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 8:20 am

when i read posts like all the above it puts football into perspective really doesnt it,

when bill shankley said

Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.

he was wrong.