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Author Topic: A personal message from Readingfan  (Read 559 times)

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Readingfan

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A personal message from Readingfan
« on: Fri 19 Mar 2021 11:49 »
Hi everyone,

I have managed to find a health issue that isn't Covid! A recent cancer diagnosis means that I will shortly completely lose my vision (cue jokes about now being a good time to take up refereeing!)
This is naturally a bit of a shock but I am doing well all things considered.

It obviously means I won't be able to comment on any individual refereeing decisions or performances after this weekend as I won't witness them myself. Football has been such a big part of my life for so many years, whether it be playing it at school or with my mates (badly!) during those summer evenings of youth that felt like they'd never end, going home and sometimes away supporting Reading through the highs and the many lows, or just watching a game - any league, any time at some points! - on the TV. That I won't again see the green of the grass or the white of the goal is definitely a big thing to get used to.

I still certainly hope to continue contributing to the general discussion on this site though and will stay in touch with the latest appointments and developments in the refereeing world - coming to the site soon after 4pm on a Monday (or latterly midday on a Tuesday) to despair at the latest set of appointments has become a regular part of my weekly routine.

It's almost 15 years since I first joined this site's predecessor. It's amazing now to think Martin Atkinson and Andre Marriner were still in their second season as PL refs, Lee Probert has yet to be promoted to the SG, and Dermot Gallagher and Barry Knight were still officiating. There aren't many things that stay constant for so long but I've certainly been a regular reader and poster throughout the multiple different stages of my life since then. There have been some posters who've been regulars all along, some who have come and sadly gone, some who are newer or post less often but make excellent contributions all the same.
We have sometimes agreed and often disagreed, and there's probably times I'd now disagree with something I wrote in the heat of the moment, but it's nearly always been a friendly, lively and engaging discussion about a topic many people are clearly very interested in and give a lot of time to, whether it be active officiating and mentoring themselves, record-keeping and archival documentation of the past, or simply having considered views to offer on the latest refereeing talking points. I hope this site has many years of good health in it and, as I say, I'll join in where I can.

I hope you and your loved ones are all safe and well, and here's to many years of good health to anyone reading this too!  :)

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bmb

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Re: A personal message from Readingfan
« Reply #1 on: Fri 19 Mar 2021 12:20 »
Wow! I am so sorry to hear this Readingfan.  Huge life change. Big hugs to you, I know they won't help any but I'm sending them anyway.

Is there anything we can do as a site to help you remain involved to some degree?
Hajrá Lilák. Csak a Kispest. Hajrá Magyarok! Hajrá játékvezetői csapat! Soha ne add fel. Nincs sárga kérem!!! No Chris Kavanagh doesn't live in Ashton or even in the Greater Manchester area!!

Conkernut

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Re: A personal message from Readingfan
« Reply #2 on: Fri 19 Mar 2021 12:29 »
Absoulutely gutted for you at reading this. I have really enjoyed reading your contributions over the years.

Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Your message paints you as a very brave and corageous human being, I hope you continue to be so as you enter this new phase of your life.

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ajb95

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Re: A personal message from Readingfan
« Reply #3 on: Fri 19 Mar 2021 13:05 »
What a sickener readingfan. Hopefully you can still enjoy and have a fruitful life!
Take care and all the best!

edy

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Re: A personal message from Readingfan
« Reply #4 on: Fri 19 Mar 2021 15:31 »
I feel so sorry after hearing this Readingfan. My thoughts are with you.

You are and will remain an invaluable member of this forum.
I know that I know nothing
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JCFC

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Re: A personal message from Readingfan
« Reply #5 on: Fri 19 Mar 2021 16:01 »
What terrible news for you to receive, Readingfan, but thank you for informing us and allowing us to express our shock and sorrow.

I was at a loss for a rating for your post. "Sad" goes without saying, but is too weak, while at the same time not reflecting the tone of what you say. "Like" would have sounded wrong, but had there been an "Admire" option, that is what I would definitely have gone for. Your stoical acceptance of the situation and positive thoughts for the future certainly indicate that you will make the most of things and adapt to your new circumstances. I am sure that those around you will offer every support and that with technology, you will be able to remain in touch. We certainly all hope so.

I trust that with the attitude shown, you will continue to enjoy your life and find alternative sources of pleasure. I wish you the very best of luck.
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Hadrian

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Re: A personal message from Readingfan
« Reply #6 on: Fri 19 Mar 2021 22:00 »
Desperately sorry to read this. I have always found your posts on this site to be some of the most reasonable, level-headed and worth reading. Wishing you all the very best.
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OwdReds

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Re: A personal message from Readingfan
« Reply #7 on: Sat 20 Mar 2021 09:14 »
So sorry to hear this. Whilst I hope you will be able to continue to enjoynthe game we love in some way it puts all our disagreements over decisions into perspective. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Readingfan

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Re: A personal message from Readingfan
« Reply #8 on: Tue 23 Mar 2021 00:48 »
Thanks ever so much to everyone for their kind words - they mean a lot. I will definitely haim to stay in touch with the RTR community.
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flipmode

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Re: A personal message from Readingfan
« Reply #9 on: Tue 23 Mar 2021 22:46 »
I still certainly hope to continue contributing to the general discussion on this site though and will stay in touch with the latest appointments and developments in the refereeing world - coming to the site soon after 4pm on a Monday (or latterly midday on a Tuesday) to despair at the latest set of appointments has become a regular part of my weekly routine.

I can't even begin to fathom how long this has taken you to process, but the thing that hit me the most about this, was how similar your routine is to mine with the quoted text. This is something I'll never take for granted again.

I've always found your posts to be more on the objective side, rather than the biased side in respect to refereeing performances involving Reading matches. I have regularly found your comments to be of the upmost quality, and I think I speak for the whole admin team in saying that your contributions will be sorely, sorely missed.

I hope you're able to find some comfort in this new journey you find yourself on. Your attitude is very inspiring in the circumstances, and you show great resilience.
I'll certainly miss your contributions on this site, Readingfan.
David Silva olé.
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