My toes froze

A year and a day ago, our good friend Bill suddenly and very unexpectedly, died of a massive heart attack. One of his close friends (Steve) thought we should mark his life in some way. It was decided to put a plaque on the Slab at the Rec (where he always watched the football) and have the official ceremony on a match day closest to the day he died. That day was today.

We were playing Halifax, who are languishing down the bottom of the table, and assuming a win for us. Before the game, however, we had to say goodbye to Bill properly by going to the pub first.

Normally we have a pint (or two) in the Victoria but they didn’t have any beer so we very quickly decamped and headed across the road to the George. As I said to Nicktor, this was probably more appropriate given it was in the George (though under a different name) that he first met Bill who was working behind the bar. We had a beer, stuck a photo of Bill on an empty chair (which Jason the policeman sat on suggesting we tell Bill that he’d sat on his lap*) and drank to his memory.

We then adjourned to the bar under the South Stand at the ground. Here they serve very decent beer (TEA) and it’s somewhere that Bill had been many, many times. We put the photo up again and toasted our dear departed friend. The barmaid almost photobombed the group shot that Martin took.

Nicktor and Ian toasting Bill

Eventually (just before kick off) we headed up to our usual spot and spread out a whole load of photos of Bill and a supporter’s scarf. Steve then produced the plaque and a tube of Gorilla glue. There followed a very complex operation to ensure the plaque was straight and stuck. A strap secured it further, to be removed at half time.

Bill’s spot, never forgotten

It was not a solemn occasion at all. There were lots of laughs as we remembered Bill, the loveliest man most of us have ever known. He had a lot of friends and was universally admired and loved. I like to think that in the future, fans will read the plaque and admire him the way that we did.

Bill’s Plaque

As for the game…it was awful. Aldershot didn’t turn up. While the Halifax defence was fairly strong, we just couldn’t put together any decent attacks. Halifax won 1-0.

From now on, this match will be the Memorial Bill Match. We shall celebrate it every year. Regarding the result, we had to admit Bill would have been philosophical then turned up next week just like a REAL football fan.

* Jason didn’t know that Bill was no longer with us. He probably thought we’d put the photo there because he was overseas…or something. It was rather funny.