Very sad news. Deepest sympathy. My mum passed in 2007...7/4/7 ...always in my thoughts. 22 years after my dad.
RIP Tributes paid as Hull City's 'biggest supporter' Gary Shepherdson dies after getting Covid Tom Huddlestone and Alex Bruce are among those to pay tribute Sophie Kitching The son of one of Hull City's "biggest supporters" has found a fitting way to honour their dad through his favourite team. Thorngumbald dad Gary Shepherdson died from "Covid-related pneumonia" on Sunday, November 7. He was 61. Gary, who was in a wheelchair for many years, was a Hull City season ticket holder and was a "Hull City supporter through and through", attending games home and away - including Wembley twice. For the latest Hull City news from Hull Live, click here. Gary's first Hull City game was during the 1965/1966 season, aged six, and he has been a fan of Hull City "ever since". Following his death, his sons - John, Chris, Dan and Will - messaged former and current Hull City players for "any kind words" to be read out at his funeral with a "very small hope" they would hear back. So far, they have received responses from current player Tom Huddlestone and Alex Bruce, a former Hull City player and son of "legendary" manager Steve Bruce. Tom Huddlestone is sending one of his shirts with some "kind words" to be put into a bar they are creating in Gary's memory. While Alex Bruce "sent a lovely message" to be read at Gary's funeral. please log in to view this image The family have spoken to the club's 'bereavement service' who asked the team to sign a Hull city flag which has now been received and will be draped over Gary's coffin. It will then sit in his bar In addition, the family have spoken to the club's "bereavement service" who asked the team to sign a Hull City flag which has now been received and will be draped over Gary's coffin. It will then sit in his bar. Gary, husband to wife Christine, also has two brothers, a sister, and six grandchildren. Speaking about what his dad was like, his son Dan Shepherdson, 28, said: "He wasn’t shy but he didn’t like lots of praise. He was full of life. He loved Hull City. He loved everything about them. "He was Father Christmas really. He would dress up every Christmas in a full Father Christmas outfit. Christmas and Hull City were his two favourite things ever." please log in to view this image Gary was a Hull City season ticket holder and was a 'Hull city supporter through and through' And Gary also had a unique hobby. "He was retired but he was a champion budgie breeder," Dan said. "That was his lifelong hobby. He was the only disabled budgie breeder. He was number one for a while. "He’s got his aviary. We are turning it into a bar in his honour. That is why Tom Huddlestone is sending a shirt so we can hang it in the bar. So that’s where it all started really. "We just thought we will message a few ex players, if one of them gets back to us, that’s brilliant and we’ve had such a good response." Dan says his dad was a devoted supporter. "When we got promoted, he tried to get on the pitch but, because of his wheelchair, he wasn’t allowed," he said. "He was that sort of supporter. "He was always one of those who would wait and try to get a hand shake from one of the players. We had season tickets so was always in the Dugout supporters' bar afterwards." And Dan says his dad loved to put a bet on the football too - and one in particular. Ironically, his dad's favourite bet has come off twice since his passing. "He loved Steve Bruce, Harry Maguire and Chris Chilton," Dan said. "They were his favourites. "He was quite a big fan of putting a bet on football. His favourite bet when watching an England game was Harry Maguire to score a header. "The first England game he has missed after his death, the first goal was a Harry Maguire header. "All the brothers got together on Friday night, all put the same bet on, dad’s bet, and he scored. It was a lovely moment." And on Wednesday, it happened again. Dan said: "England are playing again, first attack of the game and Harry Maguire scores again! I'm in tears but knowing he's up there laughing his head off no doubt." please log in to view this image A picture of Gary during the 1970 Whatney Cup against Manchester United But it's not just his sons who have fond memories when it comes to Hull City and their dad. Reminiscing, Gary's brother Dan said: "I would take Gary and Steve to the reserve games because the attendance was smaller and I could keep an eye on them. I think his first league game was the following year." Speaking about a picture of Gary, taken by the Hull Daily Mail during the 1970 Whatney Cup against Manchester United, he added: "You can see Gary and Steve against the barrier. "I always went very early with them if the crowd was large so they had a good view. We always watched from the terraces. We rushed home after the match to watch the highlights of the match which was rare to see city featured back in those days hoping we would see ourselves on TV. Happy days." please log in to view this image Gary and his wife Christine Gary's son Dan is hoping he may receive more messages from players associated with Hull City but is overwhelmed with the response so far. A message sent to Dan from Alex Bruce and shown to Hull Live reads: "I remember him well and I'm sorry for your loss. I hope you are all coping as a family. It will be a terrible time for you all, I'm sure and I hope you find the strength in time to overcome your grief. Kind regards and best wishes, the Bruce's." While Tom Huddlestone said: "Sorry to hear about your's and everyone's loss. Thoughts are with you all. "If you send me an address [I will send] around a shirt of mine, signed with a few words on rather than just being spoken if that's OK? "Regarding the flag, someone will bring that to the training ground and we will all sign that no question." Gary's funeral will be held on Monday, November 29, at 1.30pm at Chanterlands Crematorium. "If anyone has any kind words to send the family or any old programmes or any memorabilia from 1959-1970 that they would like to send for his bar that his children are building in his honour, the family will be forever grateful," his son said. Dan can be contacted by emailing [email protected]
Nice but sad story, I'm sure he was in front of me at the cup final, as the wheel chair supports for City were right in front of us. RIP Gary
The so far 5 dead and 40 injured in the SUV 'apparent murder' in Wisconsin.... seeing the car being driven on You Tube is just mind numbing... some reports state the driver was fleeing the scene of a crime...
45 killed after bus crashes into central reservation and burst into flames on a motorway in Bulgaria, only 7 survivors.
