I think this echoes a lot of sentiments on the board - I actually, having never met Billy or Janie, found myself fighting back the tears when I read Billy's thread yesterday. I have lost family members (aunts, uncles and cousins) who I have felt hurt less by than when I saw Billy's post yesterday. It seems to be we are all brothers and sisters on here in some way shape or form. In short - I will be joining in with Syd and all others who have commented on this.
Syd, no need to apologise, your suggestion is simply a sign of consideration for others and given the circumstances it's very appropriate. I am sure that Billy appreciates this very thoughtful gesture from both sides of the footballing divide.
Speaking from the heart can never be a bad thing Syd, it's what makes this region a passionate place to live and eventually for us all to die. I think this is a really nice idea and one I will happily sign up to. Like a few others I do not know Billy outside of this forum but I think we can all understand the pain he must be going through right now and would want to make this appropriate and supportive gesture - The club always do an end of year silence too for those supporters lost during the year - usually at the boxing day game if memory serves me right - perhaps another moment to spare a thought for Billy and his dear departed. Your red and white family are with you Billy
Hello lads & lasses. Can I just say thanks to each & everyone of you lot. I wish I had the time to pm everyone of you. Special thanks to Syd. Comm, Alison told me about your message, dinnet worry about me marra, I ok.
If Billy is reading this my deepest sympathy for your sad loss, my thoughts are with you. Life can be cruel. I am sitting here cuddling one of my 2 day old twin daughters. Life is to be cherished and personally I feel so lucky to have such a beautiful family. However your sad loss even though I do not know you has moved me immensely. All the very best to you and your family.
Well said Syd. I will certainly spare a minute to think of Billy and Janie on Sunday. Here's to a good performance from the lads, loud support from the fans and 3 welcome points. Can I also say I have been heartened to see how many Newcastle fans have put aside football rivalry and written so many thoughtful and moving posts in support of Billy at this terribly sad time for him and his family.
Well said Syd It's the least we can do and as you've already said not many here know Billy personally but still we're affected by his loss as he talked about her a lot and really loved her. 6 points to the NE would be nice. RIP Janie.
Thanks Syd, like others I will join in with giving loving thoughts to Billy and his family on Sunday. Special thanks to all the Newcastle supporters for putting rivalry to one side for this very sad occasion.xx
Dont get wrapped up in this rivalry thing, its a game to most of us, we want to beat them and they want to beat us. We can fall out but to most its not a hate thing. Billy has mates on both sides and he understands the game on a forum like this, its not real life to most of us.
nice touch syd no need to be sorry,personally i think it's a lovely touch and i'll be joining you in a quiet moment. I think this has affected all off us as billy is a warm,funny,down to earth person..a top bloke who's hurting at this present time. Despite us not knowing him on a personal level it warms my heart that we have banded together and put our differences aside to show our support for the lad in this sad time for him.As you say it's only a game which in these circumstances mean nothing.
Yes it looks good to me to see how both sets of supporters have joined together over this. We do have our differences of opinion, and long may they continue <s>, but some times something happens which shows we can put those differences to one side for a while. Anyway it is a rare day indeed when we get supporters from both teams hoping the other will win! Personally, and for the only time I can think of, I will be happy if the northeast top 2 get 3 points each this weekend even if it does maintain the 15 points difference!
Although I have never met Billy in person, but the fact that he is a lad who certainly wears his heart on his sleeve on here, I really do feel for the lad.. This last week or so has been a pretty traumatic one for me, with a close work colleague unexpectedly, and for reasons yet unexplained, taking his own life. So on Sunday I will have a few moments before the game to think of the events of the past few days, and the pain and heartache that losing someone brings to us all...
It was a strange one Syd..The lad was never someone who I classed as a close friend, simply because we had nothing much in common. However, he was dedicated to his work, would always be available to cover my shifts for matches etc and in the last few weeks or so I felt he was starting to lower the barriers he always seemed to have in place which prevent people from getting to know the real him.. I was one of the last people to speak to him before he was found, and he never gave any hint of what he was going to do less than 48 hours later, and was talking about his forth coming trips he had booked to Prague and new York, and how well he was feeling about the weight he had lost in the previous weeks (he was a very heavy bloke). He never left any explanations as to why he had done this, which has been very hard to take for me..
