REMEMBERING A WONDERFUL MAN.
MY SIGN-OFF ON MANY-A-PERSONS GOOD FRIEND, ON MY NEIGHBOUR
AND EVERYONE'S 'ONTHEROAD' BLOG MASTER.
Some words (& spellin misstakes...!!) from myself 'daftladnextdoor', to recall the start we had to the campaign, to 2023 and to hopefully close off this season. Whilst I appreciate that this will be posted on Malc's page, his son Chris is aware of my intentions but not of any of the content, I simply wanted to bring this season to an end for Malc - my one and only post on here - so no offence intended to anyone but done out of respect for our good buddy.
All other content is to be left as was, so please enjoy the memories his blog brought everyone.
I have always been happy to stay behind the camera and to let Malc share his far superior knowledge of our beloved local football scene. To say he was supposed to be camera shy was - well just look at the pictures that keep popping up in memories of past outings - I reckon deep down he loved to pose.
At the begining of the season, through one thing and another, I struggled to get to some games but as ever, off he went to get his fix of the game he loved.
Whether it was youth, college, reserves, men, ladies, morning, noon and night...... you get the drift?
I would often get a message & photo, when at work, just to say "look where I am at 11.00am on a mid-week day" - with the sun glistening down around him.......the swine I'd reply!!
He made me chuckle when he'd tell me that managers of the likes of Steve Chettle were phoning him to tell him of games and invite him down - always midweek and at short notice. This was great for Malc as it got him out & about, plus he made more & more good friends.
We did discuss not doing a charity this season, but such is the man - folk came up early season and handed him a donation for the charity....... hence The Robin Centre was chosen to benefit this season (for which the monies will be handed over in the next couple of weeks or so).
It was during some of the games that we managed to venture to together, that he seemed to be a little unsure of himself, by which I mean that he was struggling to remember things - especially where to go to get to certain grounds. He repeatedly relied on Google Maps - to go to the places we had often visited and even when I said I knew the directions - he'd still use maps.
It was a sign that he was starting to struggle with routine things and started to become fustrated with what he said was his old body giving up - it was "foo*ed" he kept saying. However, he still had the determination to get up and go in search of some footy.
Wednesday 4th January - a date we will not forget - especially the early hours.
From New Years Eve up to the Tuesday 3rd evening, Malc was deteriorating quite quickly to the extent that his pain was making it that he could barely move.
"This body is 'foo*ed" he again said repeatedly, although we were doing our best to make him comfy.
"But I have to update the blog results from earlier" he said - to which he had some polite 'leave it for now' replies.
Over the next 15 hours or so - well you know the rest by now.
The following weeks, the reaction was huge and although really very comforting - it was mindblowing trying to gauge the impact that the news, the sadness, at the passing away of Malc - had made upon our football community, in fact on everyone at the loss of this quiet and very decent man.
The funeral service on the 31st January, was held at Bramcote Crematorium and whilst extremely emotional for the family and many friends present, and also for those who could not make it, the ceremony to my mind was one of hopefully how Malc would have wanted it - relaxed and in the best atmosphere as we could create - a true celebration of his life.
Malc's son Chris asked that folk attended in whatever attire they would find most comfortable - whilst most importantly - in how Malc would on a 'normal' outing - expect to see them. So football shirts were donned and the 'no black' request dutifully acknowledged.
Special thanks for the ceremony must go to Darren Clay.
He is a long time friend of 'the blog' and as a funeral director was an obvious choice for covering the service. From start to finish, Darren was the utmost professional and did an exceptional job, even though he maybe feels that he showed his inner feelings and as like many others present, he simply couldn't hold the tears back. My wife found this very touching as we'd never witnessed someone in this capacity, not being able to hold back his emotions.
Along with the thanks for making the service as special as it was, I would also like to pass my heartfelt appreciation to five gentlemen who when offered - stood proud and assisted Chris with another special contribution - that of coffin bearers.
When this was suggested in the days leading up to the service, Chris was at once up for the task that was probably going to be one of the toughest things that he had possibly had to undertake in his life so far.
Instantly, he named Malc's younger brother Darren Storer to be by his side, again a duty for which - whist emotionally draining - he was to carry out impeccably.
Chris asked me to approach four of 'the blogs' friends to see if they would do him the honour of carrying Malc's coffin - along with himself and Darren, into the chapel. There were many people who could have been approached with fair justification, and in the end the task laid 'on the shoulders' of good friends Adam Gregory of Selston FC, Michael Bannister squad member with Chris for Malc's Hucknall Sports youth team and lastly but by no means least - Tom Coupe and Kelvin 'Mushi' Mushambi, whose motto must be 'have boots - will travel' as the list of teams they represented over the years was endless. Indeed, it was a joke between us all that we could go to a different ground every weekend and they would be playing.
To you lads - thanks does not seem to be enough though I hope it gave you a feeling of as much pride as I felt inside. To you also - I am eternally grateful.
Sincere thanks also go to Bob and Dawn at Hucknall Town for their consideration in speaking about the wake being held at their new facilities. On top of this - to Bano and Andy for asking Chris and myself to lead the teams out prior to their home game against Harrowby, where a minutes applause was duly held in respect for Malc.
Being Hucknall - born and bred this was indeed a special moment for me personally, whilst thinking that if he were to be looking down at us - he too would be exteremely proud - whilst questioning as to what all the fuss was about!!.
Further thanks go also to Basford United FC and the Munroe family who provided the venue, catering and time for the wake and whose generosity will never be forgotten.
As Malc & myself had been season ticket holders for the past few seasons, son Chris felt it appropriate that this was the ideal venue - a choice that proved to be well made for many reasons - and so again, my gratitude goes to the Munroe family - Chris, Jo and Jess.
As with the Hucknall visit, Chris and myself were to lead the teams out prior to their home with Alvechurch, before laying a wreath on the centre spot and holding the minutes respect. Again, this was a special moment for me personally on a ground that Malc and I had spent many happy hours at.More heartfelt thanks go out to the clubs who went out of their way to include a feature of Malc' in their next home game programmes, and to the many clubs who held a minutes applause or silence - another brilliant show of respect from teams and indeed leagues who requested this of their members.
Many tears later and we try and move on.
As Malc had asked me to be the Executor of his will (something that I will be forever grateful!!), along with his son Chris's help, we are working to get everything passed over to Chris, but this is a time consuming task.
So, from having the 'Bearded Wonder' and 'daftladnextdoor' living in their adjoining semi-detached homes I think it appropriate that we now have 'daftladnextdoor' and 'evendafterladnextdoor' (for which I jest of course Chris)
For my family, this is the ideal scenario as we have watched Chris grow from the day he was born to now. Contrary to belief, he hasn't always been a little 'shite' lol, but has grown into the man who made Malc the proud 'Pops' and granddad that he was.
So - once all the legalities are sorted - we look forward to the next generation of the Storer's living next door and hope he and his lovely partner Charlene, along with Malc's precious grand-daughter Summer, find it as special as we Goodman's have.
Our first charity APTCOO which was a very humbling experience with some wonderful people. It was a great feeling at the end of the season when these donations were handed over.
Part of Chris's & my conversations have been presenting a small number of 'shield' type awards to a few of the clubs who were regular visits of ours. With this list seemingly endless, Chris and I have tried to whittle it down to a few, thus if, we have not included your club then please take no offence, as your friendship was just is special to us as any other - but we could not cover everyone that Malc and myself had visited over the years - the number would have been in the hundreds.
The intention behind these awards is for the clubs themselves to present them, on an annual basis, to any member within a club who has done a valuable service for them, be it kit washing, grounds-person, tea bar, taking junior teams to the next level etc - not for just the players we watch - week in week out - but for anyone involved in grassroots football.
This is what I believe Malc was all about - everyone involved with our brilliant football community and not just the chosen few. From 'grassroots' to him having a go at walking football, it was what he stood for and loved - plus will hopefully keep the memories of him going.
For the future - I'm contemplating trying to keep his page running but I do not have the time or know-how to produce the quality and detail of what he did. With this, I may be calling a few of our friends in order to assist with what I'm thinking of trying to achieve.
No promises as it may not happen - but watch this space.
I must take advantage of this opportunity to say many thanks to those of you who have generously donated to the blog's charity - not just this season but in seasons past, and to those who also gave towards Malc's funeral. I won't name them all but you know who you are so again, heartfelt thanks go out to all of you.
To A.N Wallis - Malc's former and Chris's current employer for their faultless support of the family, and to Selston FC for inviting us to a thoroughly enjoyable eveing with ex Forest players Mark Crossley and Nigel Jemson and for the generous donation made to Malc's collection.
To all the clubs, players, staff and supporters - everyone we have ever had the pleasure of meeting - without you there would not have been these blogs and memories so again, heartfelt thanks go out to you all.
To Matt 'Pieman' Williams - for the orchestrating of the guys at Basford in singing.............
"We love you Malcolm, we do,
We love you Malcolm, we do,
We love you Malcolm, we do,
Oh Malcolm we love you" ............... as Chris and me exited the game just before the final whistle.
Totally unexpected - but another treasured memory.
Hopefully with Malc's scribbles translated as only he could and with my photos, the reading of some of the past blogs can bring back many of these good memories - that was only ever our sole intention.
Of the last few blogs (maybe 99%) all credit must go down to the Bearded Wonder himself - a guy so missed by so many and appreciated by so many more.
RIP Malc - no more pain good buddy x
A few golden picture memories............
