Dave Goodhand (davecg69)

This is a devastating reminder of our mortality and why we should live everyday with a positive slant; like Dave did. I had to come on to pay this absolute gentleman a tribute.

Dave was the very first forum member I met when I first started suggesting some of us should meet up at the Old Farmers before games. The man was incredible. We met with a couple of others and his warmth, friendliness and kindness just shone through from that very first meeting. He became a friend even though we were from slightly different generations. He was such fun to be with and so welcoming in his “joie de vie” attitude, even when he had several bumps along his own path. He never let that bog you or him down.

He was incredible with my son when we would often collect him from his house when he lived in Winchester to drive together to games, always involving my lad in the conversations in the car. He never treated him like a boy in the back of the car and Ollie loved his guitar collection! Sometimes, Dave’s excitement about what was going on made it feel like travelling with two young boys (three of you include me!) such was his enthusiasm. I never met his children, yet I know how proud of them Dave was as he always spoke about them and was at his most excited when he was going to see them. A proud Dad. My son, my wife and my Dad all met him and remember him fondly. I doubt anyone who did meet him could feel any different.

He invited me to come down and play golf with him and his mates one day and it was a great day. Scorching hot day, shockingly bad golf from both of us and almost as shockingly bad golf attire too. I remember his bright yellow top was worse than my orange one and still the only time anyone has out “loud-styled me” on a golf course. I felt so welcome even though he told me I was joining his old man’s club too early. He saw everything as fun or at least meant to be taken as fun. (See Vin’s message about Ukulele Club). I too will never forget Dave’s excitement about the Spitfire flight. He threw that boy like spirit into everything. He was a hopeless romantic and always falling in love. Actually, I should change that to just “a romantic” as there was nothing hopeless about Dave Goodhand. (His home baking was great)

I’ve become true friends with some people I met via this forum and Dave was one of them and as mentioned, the first one I met at that pub all those years ago. I knew how good a friend he was when my son and I were at Newcastle away and a lady came up to me from sitting a few seats from us and asked if we knew Dave G. She’d seen us sat there and he’d obviously been talking about going to games with us and she’d thought we must have been the same people Dave had described as his companions going to some home games. He’d clearly been discussing us away from the games.

Losing Dave is very sad, a great loss and my thoughts go out to his family and close friends.

Rest in Peace Dave. Forever a Saint. Never forgotten.

Fats.

 

Wonderful heartwarming tribute FLT!!

 

Beautiful tribute mate, great to hear from you.

 

I really do remember those times where a group of us met up at the Old Farmhouse with great fondness and I am thankful for it as well as I would never have met Dave otherwise. It's a sign of just what a genuinely kind, warm and lovely gent he was that people who have never met him got a sense of the man he was. And when you've never met someone, on an online forum where things get heated often, that is bloody hard.

Now I've had time to really process this tragic news I feel I can properly pay tribute to a man who lived life to the full and was always positive.

It really is a shame the Old Farmhouse is no more otherwise I would have suggested we meet up there before a Saints game and raise a glass to him.

 

This is the best post you.have written as you have taken your time to write a very moving tribute.!

 

Here’s a reminder of those days at the Old Farmhouse. Dave is at the rear right.

 

So there's Dave , me, you, Vin (who can't hold a sign up the right way round apparently ), SaintRitchie, Beddy and possibly Libby? Sorry @Libby I can't remember what you look like.

 

No it’s everyone you said, plus my daughter and son-in-law (standing up) and next to my daughter is my friend’s son. They were all Newcastle fans out on parole.

 

Ah yes that was it. I remembered your daughter and son-in-law, not your friend's son.

 

Hello Fats,
Lovely tribute and one that does Dave proud. It's a very sad time for all of us who knew Dave but especially for you, I know you were close.

Maybe this is the time for you to return. It would be good to hear from you.

 

Nice to hear from you Fats. I hope you are keeping well.

 

Sorry to read about Dave's passing, may he rest in peace.

 

Just wanted to also express my sadness. I never met Dave, but like so many others, l respected his posts and had some good chats on here with him over the years. My respects to his family and loved ones. RIP Dave. 

 

Bloody hell, not long back to the UK after some time away from the screen and seen this. RIP Dave.

Sounds like a special man and glad so many on here - in addition to those far closer to him than us - got to enjoy his company during his time.

Also awesome to see FLT drop in, have missed your contributions mate. Touching tribute and lovely stories.

 

Oh my God, no! Such sad, sad news. I only met Dave once but always pictured him smiling (and making me smile) when I saw his name on the forum. RIP Dave, you lovely, lovely man.

 

This is how I'm going to remember Dave, in a Saints shirt and smiling.

 

Lovely photo of a top man.

 

Fantastic tributes to read from those who knew him personally. That's all we can hope for at the end, that the people we knew would remember us fondly. RIP Dave.

 

Awful news, RIP Dave. Although I never met him, will definitely miss his posts on here

 

Me (second on right). Good day