Yes I know we secured our future in the Championship and all that but this weekend, based on your replies to massive's news, a lot of us took a big step back and wondered what life is truly all about. The passing of a highly regarded poster on the 606 site at such an early age has left me wondering about the most important things in life and I've come to the conclusion that what happens at Ashton Gate through the season pales in comparision to the well being of our family and friends. I would hazard a guess that the vast majority of our posters had no idea who "natch" was or indeed had never met him, but could have been just a few feet away from him at a game. The news of his passing has evoked many heart rending replies and some have indicated personal experiences of a similar nature and I consider myself, even at my advanced age, fortunate to not have experienced that kind of loss at a personal level. I have often questioned my involvement with this kind of social networking, other than my shared love of BCFC, and yet I have always believed that despite our different lives in different lands we have something else in common. That "something else" came to the surface through this last weekend and showed that we are not just a bunch of City fans but also, and more importantly, human beings who care so very deeply about others and their feelings at times of private heartache and despair. All of your postings touched me so deeply and I applaud each and everyone of you from both sides of the bridge for your compassionate and touching words at such a difficult time for Natch's family and friends. You are a credit to yourselves and the teams you support and proved that the world can be a kinder and gentler place. Thank you.
Indeed, wonderfully put. Saturday was the definition of bittersweet. I hope those close to him, be it family or friends, get the chance to see the threads here and on OTIB if only to know that he made a significant impression on so many people. Communities like 606 are often treated lightly but sites like these are only as strong as those who frequent them and this weekend showed it's a lot stronger than most.
Well said Mike, could not of been worded better. Looking at all the comments from both Bristol clubs plus the Welsh clubs just show, that we are all indeed one big community that enjoy the banter with each other. We don't physically know each other but through these forums we are one united family. My heartfelt condolences not only Natch's family but also to Captain Jack Sparrows.
The loss of natch has smacked me right back to reality,cjs and his tragic demise still affects my days,Alfie Biggs death also doesn't help,it really is making me think my future activities through,I have been spending to many hours devoted to personal involvements and not enough time with family and individual friends,being an older individual I completely understand Invers thoughts on the humanity being expressed on here,a very genuine man. Football is a community we all share and fair credit to all people for all their comments of sympathies for natch and cjs after all football is only a game.
I knew Natch through facebook (before my wife banned me, flurting with old girlfriends etc) we started off friends in the old 606 days and because of the type of witty guy he was onto facebook through our love of BCFC and music, Natch was known as Ernie Clinker and he named his son Jake after Jake Burns of Stiff Little Fingers. As I had lost touch with him it came as a massive shock on Saturday when the announcement was read out and his family and friends released 41 red, white and black balloons. Dave was only 41, I feel so much for his family, Dave's Mum wrote in the E.P. Peace after pain and donations from the funeral were for Oncology and St Peter's Hospice. What should of been a happy day on Saturday didn't turn out as it should, I sat there in shock and sadness. As you know this was my little boy Freddie's first City match so I would like to think Freddie can fill that gap left by our Natch. Never forgotten Mate.
