WHO ARE YOU SINGING ABIDE WITH ME FOR

[meirsquare]

Some good lads , sadly no longer with us ..

[E-man]

My Mum who died 27 dec 2010- and will prob be a blubbering wreck when its sung.

[aciddosed]

My uncle. Died on his birthday earlier this year. Worked in Manchester and always wound his Citeh supporting neighbours and colleagues up whenever we'd won. Fitting we should be playing Citeh as well

[boneym]

Me Grandad, Jimmy Dono.

Don't know much about him as I was still a nipper when he died, but me mum always tells me around this time of year how he and his friends/blokes from his street all came round and stood up, hand on heart and sung it in his living room way back when, I don't know how much was he in to Stoke but I'll be singing for him.

[triffic]

Ill be thinking of my grandad and great uncle bernard as we belt out abide with me. I've blamed them for over 30 years for making me a stoke fan and now i get to do something they never could, see the mighty stoke win the fa cup. Do it stoke, do it for them !!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[vickyground]

What a lovely thread. My dad, a proud Stokie. Push Biked it to Main Road in 1932 to see Man City beat us 1-0 in 6th round. First took me to Stoke in the late 1940's and just dreamt of Stoke being in the Cup Final, (like me). He died in 1999. I will be singing Abide with me for him and all other Stokies who have dreamt of Stoke being in the Cup Final.

[LeagueCupBaby]

---

My old man as with my sig got a bit jiggy with my mum 39 years ago after his and my mighty potters last won a major trophy. My dad died of cancer 17 years ago but I'm sure he'll be cheering on from above. Can't wait to tell my wife what I want if/when we win.

[Deleted]

[Inverness Stokie]

It may be at the Challenge Cup Final but it is without a doubt one of my favourite versions.

[bunnyscfc]

3 generations of Stokies. My dad, me, my lad will be there.

I will be blubbing aots during this simply superb song. 148 years of hurt, anger, disappointment, failure and hope - all in one song. Should be the national anthem.

[fullmetaljacket]

My dad, RIP April 8th 2011. We was estranged for quite a period of time until this year. Met up again in January and March. Was with sister on way to see him on Friday but never made it in time before he passed away.

He was a Leeds fan but moved to Stone in his youth and made it a priority that his son support a local team. Luckily he got me into Stoke and the rest is history, I'm a Potter and he'd always look out for our results.

Miss you Dad.

[decs]

My brother Eamonn, a passionate Stokie who was buried in his Stoke shirt. I am certainly not going to be able to get past the first line. I hope he and all the other Stokies no longer with us are looking down on the day.

[442]

[madnellie]

For every Stokie who is no longer with us and for my much missed and loved Gran, who was not a Stokie but loved her football. I've no doubt she'll be watching and joining in with the Stokies up there cheering us on.

[njkk]

My Dad, Big Norm, he didn't take me to the final in 72 but said he'd take me to the FA Cup Final, sadly it never happened in his life time, and although I've never forgiven him for denying me the the chance to see The Potters lift a major Trophy all those years ago, if it hadn't been for his passion about the Potters I'd never have enjoyed the incredible sense of belonging that comes with being a Stokie.

Fa cup final days were always special in our house back in the day, Norm and his mates all sat around the telly with pints from a party 7, and all of them had a tear in their eyes when the football hymn came on.

Lets really belt it out for all the Stokies who can't be there

[lewando]

Grandad , to choked to sing it at his funeral.

Made a promise to sing it if we ever got to the final

[njkk]

[offthewall]

Yes indeed, Sir Stan told me that it was his favourite tune.

[bradthescaff]

To everyone of the stoke city family who have passed away , We have Got to sing it loud and proud Prob with a tear in our eyes , show the viewing billion watchin all over the world what this day means to us all. Also belt out the national anthem . Sing it for the stokies lookin down from heaven.

[Northy]

my grandad, I was luckily enough to be able to watch the early 70's, he had stopped going when the violence started so never went with him, but always listened to his stories from leek and his footballing days with them and watching Matthews & Co, his trials for walsall but wages didn't match the mill wages and leek top up money,
his tales of being 'a lad' in the war and the army etc. etc.
he went down at 92 with a half a pint in his hand in the pub he never recovered from that but had a great life

[Juan Kerzhoff]

The person that gets me two tickets

[monkeycat]

My Dad who passed away in September. Cup final day was one of his favourite days of the year and the singing of abide with me one of his favourite parts of the day. It was sung at his funeral and will be an emotional moment next week.

[Han Solo]

My late grandad who passed on his love for Stoke to my dad who passed it onto me.

[Deleted]

My Mum who passed away in 1993. She never went to a football match but knew exactly what it meant to the family. The highlight of the week in the 70s was getting home after a thumping day watching the likes of Huddy and Greenhoff to one of her steak specials with gorgeous home made chips followed by one of her legendary jam sponges, then settling down to watch The Pink Panther and Dr. Who. One of the greatest women to ever live. I will be in floods for sure.

[Northy]

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,
But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.

Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings;
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea.
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.

Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,
And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.


I'm off to an under 10's final at Middlewich Town and then a mens final at cumberland sports centre, crewe at 2 both today.

Wonder if they'll look at me all strange if I start belting it out this morning ;D

[peterfoxforever]

Reading this post has brought a real tear to my eye! I never believed I would ever be singing it at Wembley and I used to dream of it as a kid.

My Dad had a heart attack a couple of years ago - but survived due to medical technology and advancements - I feel really lucky and honoured as I shall be stood next to him singing it.

I shall now sing it for the memory of every Stokie on this post - and all others who have lost people who would have dreamed of the moment.

PFF

[eddy_under_fire'sviews]

AMAZING thread. I am literally in tears reading it. Could never imagine that we would be at wembley singing it.

I'm pretty sure many of us will be keeping TP's mum in our thoughts as well.

[The Stubborn Optimist]

My Grandad and Uncle Alan, God bless 'em. They took me to Stoke as an 8 year old in 64 and instilled in me a love of Stoke that has never wavered.

Both are no longer with us but they're at every home game by virtue of the brick bearing their names at the Brit.

For this cup run me and my lad have gone and had a word with them before each game. My lad's told them who we're playing and what the score will be, he's been right every time. Before setting off for the semi v Bolton my lad insisted we went to the ground to "talk to Grandad".

We'll be doing the same before the final.

[halftimepie]

me and my Dad will be singing our hearts out for my Grandad (his Dad) this was played at his funeral and I am sure there will be tears - come on everyone lets make more noise than ever before

[Deleted]

If they sing the old rugged cross too I'll be a dithering wreck!