80
by Stan A. Einstein
A thought.
Justin Edinburgh has died. For most of us it is sad news but we will carry on with our lives and our every day worries. For his close friends it is very sad news, for those who loved him it is devastating. A few weeks ago Gareth Rowlands died. That touched me more because I had known him for over fifty years. But the loss his wife will be feeling is far greater than anything I will experience at his passing. When I lost my partner to cancer five and a half years ago those that knew rightly expressed their condolences but didn't and couldn't feel my utter devastation. All of us, Gareth, Justin, you and me, will all have known loss, and in our time will die, and our dying will cause terrible pain to the loved ones we will leave behind.
It strikes me that every year, former players, managers, officials and supporters of our club will die. And whether they be managers who led us to promotion or the guy in the wellies and green tracksuit prodding the pitch at half time, all played their part. This is not my idea, it is done by a number of clubs in Ireland. The simple action is that before the first home game of each season a minutes round of applause is held for every single person, however connected to the club, who has left us in the previous year. A minute to reflect on everyone who has passed and a minute to unify us all.