Benitez - Donation to Rhys Jones Memorial Fund

[Matt Damon]

Everyone on here knows my opinion of Benitez and the Kopites - I think everyone on the forum knows.

I also crtiticised his £96,000 donation to the JFT96 fund, which given his pay off and the fact he was off to Milan should have been more under the circumstances.

However, this morning it appears that he's handed over a donation to several charities including the Rhys Jones memorial fund.

Therefore I'd like to officially retract the criticism and congratulate Mr Benitez for his generosity.

I think this is possibly the best thing he's done except for leaving THAT LOT (in all jest) for the last 5 years... (maybe signing Lucas too).

But still.


So we finally saw abit of class at the end there perhaps? I'll let you decide.

But that donation is gratefully received I would say, rivalry aside and in the name of young Rhys who unfortunately can't be here.

I can't believe I'm about to say this.... but well in Benitez. :blink: ok ok, lets not go too far there.:huh:

 

[Matt Damon]

Rafael Benitez gives to Rhys Jones Memorial Fund
E-mail this to a friendPrintable version Rafael Benitez has also donated £96,000 to the Hillsborough families
Liverpool FC's former manager Rafael Benitez has donated an undisclosed amount to the Rhys Jones Memorial Fund.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/10409916.stm

His cash injection will help build the new community centre in memory of the 11-year-old who was shot dead in Croxteth in 2007.

The new Inter Milan boss arranged for a cheque to be delivered to the Jones family on Thursday.

Mr Benitez said: "In all my time at Liverpool this is one of the stories that affected me most."

Rhys Jones was gunned down while walking home from football training through the Croxteth Park Estate.

His killer Sean Mercer was convicted two years later after a lengthy police investigation and scores of arrests of gang members across Liverpool.

Mr Benitez added: "I am doing this on behalf of the people that cannot. I know that every person on Merseyside would have loved to give the fund a donation but they are in hard times and can't find the extra cash.

So dignified'
"To think that this lovely little boy was taken from his family in such awful circumstances is heart-breaking.

"I still remember his mother, father and brother Melanie, Stephen and Owen coming to the match not long after Rhys died and how they were so dignified, it is something I will remember for a long time.

"I hope this money goes towards making this community centre happen for all of those people who are working so hard for it."

The £1.5m development is just yards from where Rhys honed his football skills and will include a purpose-built sports facility when it is finished.

The 11-year-old was shot as he walked home from football practice
Melanie Jones, Rhys' mother, said: "I'm lost for words really. This is so kind of Rafael and his family and we are once again overwhelmed by the generosity.

"He didn't have to do this and we have let him know just what a difference it will make to this project.

"Something good will come out of our tragedy if we manage to keep Rhys' story in the hearts and minds of everyone."

Rhys' father Stephen added: "It's an amazing gesture, and as Melanie says the football clubs together with the players and managers have been a great help ever since we lost Rhys.

"We will put the money to great use and continue to try and sing the praises of sport over joining gangs or getting involved in crime. It's really given the family an amazing boost this."

Mr Benitez made a £96,000 donation to the Hillsborough Family Support Group only a few weeks ago and has also donated money to the Lily Centre - a Liverpool based charity that offers support to women with breast cancer.

 

[davek]

Agreed. Nice gesture.

 

[Deleted member 28206]

Never had a problem with him as a fella like, he was a bit arrogant as a manager. The gesture to both charities was exceptional in my eyes.

 

[Sharpys top lip]

It's such a shame it took so long to show a bit of class......

But credit were credits due...!!!

 

[Cena]

Fair play Rafael lerd. He's showing that he has a lot of feeling for this city even after he left.

 

[chicoazul]

Another really super gesture, nice one Rafael.

 

[davek]

Just for the record, I still hate him.

 

[chicoazul]

Just for the record, I still hate him.

We guessed that Mr K, but thanks for putting it on record.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

Tremendous gesture, I don't think he hates us as much as we think either, would love to know what he thinks of everything we threw his way.

 

[Allezfan]

Fair play to him. That's a great gesture.

 

[Matt Damon]

Tremendous gesture, I don't think he hates us as much as we think either, would love to know what he thinks of everything we threw his way.

To be honest like, I think he knew most of it was part of football, trying to wind each other up.

The fact is he knows that we're their closest rivals so whatever goes on here affects them there, and vice versa.


He played the managerial game, he was a blert at times, and boy how we laughed at him ... but I think they know with the likes of the Hillsborough memorial and the number of Evertonians on the Kop and when Moyes arrived they were cheering him...

thats how it is.

I can honestly say thinking back to the Blackburn game at goodison... and seeing the club mirrored plaque tribute under dixie dean... that was one of the saddest moments I've seen in my years at Everton.

The only thing cheering me up that day was the gwladys singing "Everton" during the applause.

 

[alan ball]

Rhys Jones memorial fund

Rafael Benitez has made a sizeable donation to the memorial fund of Rhys Jones. I think hand shakes should go out to the man for making such a worthwhile gesture

 

[Blue Ray]

Well I hated the man with a passion because of some of the stupid things he'd say and who he represented but today I have some respect for him. Could have just walked away from here and forgot about Merseyside and the people like so many before him. This shows me that the man has a big heart and he cares. Top gesture and I think a lot of Evertonians will think a little bit differently about him from now on. I'm made up he was their manager to be honest because he ****ed them up good style so maybe he is a blue after all.

 

[chicoazul]

Defo, this thread has been done though mate.