E-mail from Jonathan Fuller re stoke fan that died

[markscfc72]

I e-mailed Jonathan RE the death of the stoke city supporter as i know a few others probablay have, well a couple of minutes ago i recieved a reply, in the form of a word document though, im not sure of the best thing to do, shall i copy and paste the contents below, or forward the e-mail to anyone that wants to read what he has said?

[markscfc72]

ok i'll paste below his letter

Dear Mark

Thank you for your e-mail.

While we were deeply shocked by the death of Dave Gregory at the Britannia Stadium on Tuesday night and while we extend our very deepest sympathies to his family, we do not, in line with the majority of football clubs, normally hold a pre-match minutes’ silence in these circumstances.

However, we would be more than prepared to place a suitable memorial tribute in the next available edition of the Stoke City Match day Magazine, providing Mr Gregory’s family were to contact us and make such a request.

Yours sincerely
For and on behalf of
Stoke City Football Club

Jonathan Fuller
Chief Executive

[Lakeland Potter]

We have had silences for some Stokies I think - then again for some Stokies we have not had silences. I don't know if his family have any preference but I think the club are wise to consult them.

[GlennA]

I don't wish to sound heartless (or, even worse, disrespectful) but I'm afraid it's likely that a Stoke City supporter dies somewhere every day. I don't see how the club can possibly adopt a policy of observing a minute's silence for them all. Even if they could, it would soon come to appear tokenistic, and I fear they wouldn't all be impeccably observed over time.

It is extremely poignant that Mr Gregory died at the ground, but in the scheme of things it doesn't make his passing any sadder than anyone else's.

RIP Mr Gregory.

[markscfc72]

yeah i agree glenn, i just thought i'd get the clubs view of it, perhaps a mention in the programme will be the adequate action from the club.

[OldStokie]

I think Jon's got it spot on. Although we all share in the sadness of this event, we need to keep a proper perspective of these issues.

Personally, except in the most exceptional circumstances such as the death of our own legend, Sir Stan, I don't think minute's silences should be held our football games. I think they are held far too often.

OS.

[guernseydave]

I see a similar thread is on the Rivals oatcake at about the same time.

Two points. I've said this before I'm always a bit 'twitchy' about posting private E-mails in the public domain. I don't think its fair and secondly and somewhat churlishly. Why don't we ask tel2U to adress the crowd on Sat and have 90 minutes worth of silence punctuated with the occasional snoring sound

GD

[RobPa]

true but its a different situation when its outside the brit about 5 minutes before kick off. but i understand what ya mean

[mcf]

.....but we can have minute silences for people that we don't know and have no connection to Stoke City whatsoever.

Go figure eh!?

[guernseydave]

Didn't we have one for two man united girls ?

I agree MCF, Sometimes its a bit hit and miss. I remember the one we had for Macari's lad who hung himself (I think) Now i'm thinking about it wasn't there an article in the Oatcake about a year ago on this very subject ? I may have been longer.

GD

[mcf]

Yep Dave

Smudge had it in the Like My Arse section. Good piece it was too.

[dude]

Without being horrible ( I couldn't if I tried ) , the relevance of the two girls to football was that were wearing Man U shirts was it? I know it was a tragic event but not a one off unfortunately and I failed to see why there was a minute silence re it. Why do we have a minute silence for them and not say the Stoke fan who died of leukaemia a couple of years ago? equally tragic IMHO.

Minute silences at football games I think should be for figures at their respective clubs. The exceptions being the Bobby Moores etc

I think we all agree that this was a very sad event and it would be nice if the club laid a wreath outside the entrance for instance in his memory. Maybe a few fans might do the same as a mark of respect.

[scfc1]

this is what i posted on the rivals site earlier.

"for those who don't remember my username i'm john the farther carl wright who died in newcastle on new years eve.

the club contacted me after they heard about carl and they are going to replace a mispelt brick on the wall with one with my words on it in memory of carl (thank you scfc).

but the problem being they had to replace one because the wall is now full :-(. lyndsay parsons (i think thats how you spell is name) was telling me when i went to talk to him that there is quite a few people who want a brick in memory of there deceased relatives be there is no more room.

now i understand that a minutes silence at the beging of the game every time a stokie dies could cause a problem but there is other options.

a minutes silence lead by the announcer 10 or 15 minutes before kick off (maybe not workable)or at half time

just a mention bye the annoucer before kick or half time

or there name on the score board for a minute instead of another zcar taxis or kiddys dance advertisment.

cheers john

i love you carl xxx "


being the farther of a stokie that died recently i have experienced and are still experincing what a mention or gesture by the club can meen to his relatives and friends at the time.

stoke have been great to me and that means a great deal to me so finding some way of making a gesture to every stokie that passes on by the ideas above or other will hopefully help relatives at the time.

and make those who have passed away if they are still looking down on us feel proud to have been linked to such a great club and its supporters.

cheers john

[Vodkab1ock]

like bobpa says it is a bit different when someone passes away at the stadium i think tho if the family are happy with an article in the matchday programme then so be it.

[A-teen_six_T3]

thinking about it, i think a article in the prigramme is adiquate (spelling) because, like some1 said above, they dont have a minute silence for every stoke fan that passed away

yeah it is different when it happens at the stadium, but nether the less. (i sound cold heated here, im not meaning to) but a article should be satisfactory, and they should be happy with that

[lurcherthelurker]

I think this minutes silence lark is over rated now, it happens so much that it isnt even respected half the time.

People kick the bucket, thats a fact, get used to it.

Must say that children are a different ball game altogether, but for the old un's they will have the people close to them giving them the respect they deserve (allegedly) And would they want masses of people making it like a circus?
I wouldnt want it, my old man didnt want it (so didnt get it)

Harsh but true, but I know no-one else will say it, but quite a few will agree with it.

Tree Huggers, off you go then ;D

Rex

[Vodkab1ock]

you trying start off another argument rex, i find you rather amusing but dont think this is the thread to start on personally. not havin a go or tryin argue either just my oppinion.

[lurcherthelurker]

No CD, its my honest opinion, or are we not allowed to have opinions unless the tree huggers say its ok?

[Vodkab1ock]

ok mate i don't want get into this really touchy subject. plus i need go get ready and get drunk.

[SuperStokie]

I've had an email similar to yours Mark.

Nice to know the club respect us fans.

Jon

[A-teen_six_T3]

well sed EG, i couldnt agree more with you mate

[RipRoaringPotter]

Seeing a we had one for Princess bloody Anne I think it would be appropriate to have one in this incident. This would, of course, be in conjucton with an acceptance from family and friends of the deceased.

Think of some of the one's we've had before:

Princess Anne
9/11
The Soham Murders
A ref that died while reffing a match (I think we had one for that didn't we?)

None of these, although very tragic events, had any connection with Stoke City.

[guernseydave]

Rip Roarer,

As far as I'm aware the Royal Horse botherer is very much alive setting her dogs on the proles children and her mums corgi's.

I think you meant the pissy, gin drinking, hunting, shooting and betting Queen Mother.

Unless of course we've got rid of another of the Parasites and I didn't notice

GD

[lurcherthelurker]

GD, I think its Dianna he is on about, but she deserved it, she brought this country so much in terms of revenue its quite staggering.

I like Anne as well though, it might have something to do with hter being outspoken.

Phil the bubble is a twat
Charles is a twat
Ditto Edward.

Dianna's boys dont seem too bad but time will tell.

The monarchy is on its way out

[DamonHillsEyebrow]

I'm sure we had a minutes silence for Princess Margaret as well.




God rest those we have loved and lost

[RipRoaringPotter]

Margeret, that's the one I was on about. Can't tell the difference between most of these 'oh-look-at-me-I'm-vaguely-related-to-royalty-so-I-can-just-sit-on-my-arse-all-day' sort of people

[Olgrligm]

i didn't know you were antidisestablishmentarianistic in your views GD? (i think thats the word, if not, anti-royal )

[GlennA]

Anti-disestablishmentarianism means opposition to the proposal that the Church of England should be separated from the state.

Sorry to be dull.