Small gesture could have made a big difference (From Daily Echo)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Small gesture could have made a big difference
in View from the Chapel
Dean Richards
First published in The Pink, Saturday March 12, 2011
EVERYONE in football was saddened by the loss of Dean Richards.
Although he came in for a far bit of stick on the handful of times he played for Spurs against Saints, we all knew that was just because we were the jilted lovers in the affair.
He was undeniably a great player, and the blow of losing such a talent was hard to take – even if there was a huge price tag attached to the transfer.
It was only two years he played in red and white, but in that time he was a rock.
In fact, just over a year ago, I was given a signed picture of Marian Pahars celebrating at The Dell, with Dean Richards running alongside him.
It currently sits on my living room wall.
Watching the tribute last weekend at Molineux – as well as Sky’s own moving tribute – was a very emotional thing. Not least when James Beattie broke down into tears.
However, I can’t help but think Saints dropped the ball by not arranging a minute’s silence, applause or even a black armband at either of the two home games since Richards’s untimely death.
A brief chant of “There’s only one Dean Richards” by the Northam Stand was most welcome during the Yeovil match, but I can’t help but think something a bit more formal from the club – a public display of respect if you will – was missing.
I appreciate there was a brief statement the day the terrible news came out and something in the match programme, but football pays its respects in the stand and on the pitch.
This is not a moan at the club, but rather a gentle nudge to remember that relatively small gestures go a very long way.
Comments(7)
ramptonfromsouthampton
says...
12:09pm Thu 17 Mar 11
alan.of.eastleigh
says...
1:27pm Thu 17 Mar 11
AdrianSmith
says...
2:31pm Thu 17 Mar 11
alan.of.eastleigh wrote:The club was quick to (quite rightly) pay tribute to Markus Liebherr with black armbands and a minutes applause. They didnt wait for All Saints Day then, so why nothing for Deano now?
Two comments since Monday suggests, sadly, that the club were right. All saints Day is an annual opportunity to pay our respects to all those that have sadly passed away. Just because we did not do a formal minutes silence does not mean individuals cannot pay their respects. Did not see too many wreaths down ther last week. Let's pay our respects as we see fit and not just criticise others for how they express theirs
If the club wants to be at the heart of the community it has to act like it.
SAINTSEA
says...
10:17am Sat 19 Mar 11
MGRA
says...
9:21am Tue 22 Mar 11
alan.of.eastleigh wrote:NC showed his complete lack of understanding of basic manners and respect. But for many in football, this is not a surprise. Dean's story is tragic, his heart was always in it when he put on the shirt and the fans would have responded to a recognition of his service to the saints. Hampshire FA wanted to sanction a minutes silence for a convicted paedophile and this was only stopped due to public outrage. This summarises football nicely.
Two comments since Monday suggests, sadly, that the club were right. All saints Day is an annual opportunity to pay our respects to all those that have sadly passed away. Just because we did not do a formal minutes silence does not mean individuals cannot pay their respects. Did not see too many wreaths down ther last week. Let's pay our respects as we see fit and not just criticise others for how they express theirs
RBLA
says...
2:44pm Fri 1 Apr 11
MGRA wrote:No be assured my wife's lad actually had to follow a minute's silence ........ causing outrage a week later when he found out who it was for !
alan.of.eastleigh wrote: Two comments since Monday suggests, sadly, that the club were right. All saints Day is an annual opportunity to pay our respects to all those that have sadly passed away. Just because we did not do a formal minutes silence does not mean individuals cannot pay their respects. Did not see too many wreaths down ther last week. Let's pay our respects as we see fit and not just criticise others for how they express theirsNC showed his complete lack of understanding of basic manners and respect. But for many in football, this is not a surprise. Dean's story is tragic, his heart was always in it when he put on the shirt and the fans would have responded to a recognition of his service to the saints. Hampshire FA wanted to sanction a minutes silence for a convicted paedophile and this was only stopped due to public outrage. This summarises football nicely.
As you say 'summarises football nicely' !!
click2find
sotonric says...
10:51pm Mon 14 Mar 11