This is a tribute to my Dad - as a supporter of City for 60 years I feel he deserves it. If you're not interested, please can I respectfully request you just ignore this thread. Some of you may have read the thread I wrote a few weeks ago where I was debating whether to go to the Man City game after my Dad was taken ill with a brain tumour. It was a very aggressive cancer and I'm devastated to say that he died on Thursday afternoon aged just 67. My Dad grew up just off Hawthorn Avenue - the house has been knocked down in the last year. He used to love telling me the stories of Saturday walks to Boothferry Park with his own Dad and the passion they shared for supporting City. He was at the famous Chelsea match of 1966, (it seems everyone of that generation was there). But their one burning wish was to see City reach the top flight. Unfortunately his own Dad died in 1979 also aged 67, (when I was just 2) so never got to witness it. Throughout the doom and gloom of the 1990s my Dad would always complain that he didn't ever expect to see it in his lifetime either. But of course that day in May 2008 it did finally happen. We'd somehow messed up on getting tickets to Wembley so were resigned to watching it on TV. The moment the final whistle went, we jumped up celebrating. But my Dad also threw his arms to the heavens and spoke to his own father saying 'Dad, wherever you are, we've finally done it!' and that moment seemed even more important than the promotion itself. He's been a season ticket holder in W4 for a number of seasons. I'm so glad that we were there in May this year to see promotion in person, join in the pitch invasion and basically have one of the most fun days out ever. In June when the fixtures came out, we were excitedly planning which away matches to go to this season. In July he'd ordered his season ticket. We had absolutely no idea of the devastation that was to follow. Diagnosed on 23rd July, he died 19th September. He was just about well enough to get out to watch the Chelsea match on TV but the deterioration was rapid. I was able to take my laptop to the hospital so he could see the Norwich game on MOTD but that was the final game he was well enough to watch, (at least it was a win!). I'm also really pleased we won yesterday - the first match after he died so I'm dedicating that win to him. I will continue supporting City passionately but it won't be the same without my Dad. As I've mentioned before I only support City because of him, (being born in Leeds myself). All I can say guys is treasure all the time you have, in victory and defeat because life is fragile. Two months ago we were looking forward to and planning the forthcoming season. On Wednesday I will be saying my final goodbyes to my Dad. And for the record he described the proposed name change as 'Crass and Stupid'.
RIP Didsbury senior, a sad story mate but I'm pleased that he at least saw us reach the promised land
Brought a tear to my eye that, buddy. All I can say is you are not alone. There are plenty of people, and I am among them, who share the feelings you are experiencing. The lady who sits behind me said something really great to me after the last game of last season. She asked if I was OK because she noticed how much I was crying at the end of the game, so I explained to her about our loss. She said "Don't worry, I bet your Dad is sitting on that cloud up there with a huge grin on his face along with all the other City fans who are no longer with us". It didn't stop me crying, in fact I got worse, and my two sons started to ball as well, but what she said made us realise we should all feel happy that we had shared our lives with Grandad rather than the fact that he had just left us. They live on in our memories. CTID
That is a truely warm and uplifting tribute with which you have honoured the memory of your father. Like many, my thoughts return to my dad and grandad with whom I enjoyed a wonderful childhood just off Hawthorne Ave and Woodcock St. I left there 40 years ago and remember some wonderful folk. Nothing will ever fill that part of your life that your father filled. Good words, may he rest in peace.
Take it steady pal, old cliche but it gets that little bit easier in time. My old boy passed away nearly a year ago in similar circumstances and it ain't pleasant. RIP. He's at rest now.
Deepest sympathies and I can also share in your loss as I went with my brother who died almost 2 years ago. I went to Wembley in 2008 on my own because he was in Florida on a pre booked holiday, my biggest wish was to have seen City win again at Wembley with him as it was a fantastic magical day but alas it was not meant to be. All I can say is treasure the memories and just think of the massive support City have beyond this life!
Don't worry Didsbury he will be up there with my dad talking about Waggy and Chilton and watching down on us lot http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_vjobFpWLg
My deepest sympathy may your dad rip, my dad died in 2005 so never had chance to see us play in the top league but I'm sure he's sat in the stands in the sky cheerinh us on
