Howard Kendall RIP

[Woolly Blue]

Right, bear with me, I might waffle a bit...


Howard Kendall.

To me, he was all manner of things. As a 11 yr old kid, in 1981, he was one of my dad's idols, coming back to us. A legend coming back to fix us. We were awful back then. Really bad. You youngsters fuming today really have no idea!
Back then, dad took me everywhere. Home and aways (Except 'far ones' on a school night) I was there. I remember being outside the players entrance, pissed wet through, as the coach arrived. Dad offering words of encouragement to the lads, shaking Howards hand and wishing him luck. No matter how bad we were, my dad and his mates, and me, would be there.

One of dads mates worked at the club, nothing special just a normal job, and through him, dad became mates with Howard and the players. So as we gathered momentum and took all before us, I kind of got swept along. Name a big game from then, I was there. Dad's friendship with Howard grew too. So, as we conquered all, I felt more of a part of it because dad knew Howard, celebrated our successes with him, right there, right at the heart of it. Players lounge after games, me wandering amongst my heroes. My idols. It was a magical time for all of us. I will never forget a minute.

Then Howard left. Then he came back, left, and came back again. We know the history of those times. Howard never changed though, he was still Howard. He still had the same steely determination, the same desire and passion. It just wasn't to be. Howard though, well he just carried on being Howard.

He still enjoyed a drink, with the same lads, in the same bar. He still stopped to talk to everyone, he still had that warm smile and glint on his eye. He still remembered me, 30 yrs after I first met him, when I last spoke to him last year, he asked how dad was and smiled, a glint in his eye, "good times lad, good times" he said.

"The best of times Howard, the very best of times. Thank you"


RIP Gaffer. I will never forget the joy you gave me and my dad, and all of us.

Thank you.

'Sake lad. I was doing better till I read that.

*blows nose loudly

 

[GraemeS1980]

Ive just seen the clip on Facebook of Granada Reports and the brief cut of Big Dunc, that set me off. Going to get a drink and in true HK style raise a glass to him. What makes it so special is that he never distanced himself from the fans unlike today's lot purely because he go 'it' he understood 'us' he was and is one of 'us'. I bet the majority old enough have their own personal Howard Kendall memory.

God bless you until we meet again Gaffer may you watch down over us and march us onto wembley for we shall not be moved. RIP Gaffer.

 

[daz4matty]

Right, bear with me, I might waffle a bit...


Howard Kendall.

To me, he was all manner of things. As a 11 yr old kid, in 1981, he was one of my dad's idols, coming back to us. A legend coming back to fix us. We were awful back then. Really bad. You youngsters fuming today really have no idea!
Back then, dad took me everywhere. Home and aways (Except 'far ones' on a school night) I was there. I remember being outside the players entrance, pissed wet through, as the coach arrived. Dad offering words of encouragement to the lads, shaking Howards hand and wishing him luck. No matter how bad we were, my dad and his mates, and me, would be there.

One of dads mates worked at the club, nothing special just a normal job, and through him, dad became mates with Howard and the players. So as we gathered momentum and took all before us, I kind of got swept along. Name a big game from then, I was there. Dad's friendship with Howard grew too. So, as we conquered all, I felt more of a part of it because dad knew Howard, celebrated our successes with him, right there, right at the heart of it. Players lounge after games, me wandering amongst my heroes. My idols. It was a magical time for all of us. I will never forget a minute.

Then Howard left. Then he came back, left, and came back again. We know the history of those times. Howard never changed though, he was still Howard. He still had the same steely determination, the same desire and passion. It just wasn't to be. Howard though, well he just carried on being Howard.

He still enjoyed a drink, with the same lads, in the same bar. He still stopped to talk to everyone, he still had that warm smile and glint on his eye. He still remembered me, 30 yrs after I first met him, when I last spoke to him last year, he asked how dad was and smiled, a glint in his eye, "good times lad, good times" he said.

"The best of times Howard, the very best of times. Thank you"

Well put he certainly gave me the best years of my life as a blue.



RIP Gaffer. I will never forget the joy you gave me and my dad, and all of us.

Thank you.

 

[Donald Twain]

Right, bear with me, I might waffle a bit...


Howard Kendall.

To me, he was all manner of things. As a 11 yr old kid, in 1981, he was one of my dad's idols, coming back to us. A legend coming back to fix us. We were awful back then. Really bad. You youngsters fuming today really have no idea!
Back then, dad took me everywhere. Home and aways (Except 'far ones' on a school night) I was there. I remember being outside the players entrance, pissed wet through, as the coach arrived. Dad offering words of encouragement to the lads, shaking Howards hand and wishing him luck. No matter how bad we were, my dad and his mates, and me, would be there.

One of dads mates worked at the club, nothing special just a normal job, and through him, dad became mates with Howard and the players. So as we gathered momentum and took all before us, I kind of got swept along. Name a big game from then, I was there. Dad's friendship with Howard grew too. So, as we conquered all, I felt more of a part of it because dad knew Howard, celebrated our successes with him, right there, right at the heart of it. Players lounge after games, me wandering amongst my heroes. My idols. It was a magical time for all of us. I will never forget a minute.

Then Howard left. Then he came back, left, and came back again. We know the history of those times. Howard never changed though, he was still Howard. He still had the same steely determination, the same desire and passion. It just wasn't to be. Howard though, well he just carried on being Howard.

He still enjoyed a drink, with the same lads, in the same bar. He still stopped to talk to everyone, he still had that warm smile and glint on his eye. He still remembered me, 30 yrs after I first met him, when I last spoke to him last year, he asked how dad was and smiled, a glint in his eye, "good times lad, good times" he said.

"The best of times Howard, the very best of times. Thank you"


RIP Gaffer. I will never forget the joy you gave me and my dad, and all of us.

Thank you.

Sent me off again this.

 

[tommye]

'Sake lad. I was doing better till I read that.

*blows nose loudly

 

[roydo]

Sent me off again this.

You are not the only one. Trust me. @Bryan

 

[tommye]

Sent me off again this.

should see me.....







sake

 

[Alan Whittle]

Everton. Know how to do things properly. Class, Dignity and respect. Keeping the old school alive. Proud my son is a Blue.

 

[roydo]

Everton. Know how to do things properly. Class, Dignity and respect. Keeping the old school alive. Proud my son is a Blue.

Well said Alan. Thanks.

 

[Eggs]

Ive just seen the clip on Facebook of Granada Reports and the brief cut of Big Dunc, that set me off. Going to get a drink and in true HK style raise a glass to him. What makes it so special is that he never distanced himself from the fans unlike today's lot purely because he go 'it' he understood 'us' he was and is one of 'us'. I bet the majority old enough have their own personal Howard Kendall memory.

God bless you until we meet again Gaffer may you watch down over us and march us onto wembley for we shall not be moved. RIP Gaffer.

....not a big 'in the house' drinker but I've just raised a dark rum and ginger to the Gaffer. Rest in peace, Howard.

 

[Adscum]

 

[summerisle]

 

[No8Bally]

"Those who don't understand, don't matter"

 

[Toast]

Right, bear with me, I might waffle a bit...


Howard Kendall.

To me, he was all manner of things. As a 11 yr old kid, in 1981, he was one of my dad's idols, coming back to us. A legend coming back to fix us. We were awful back then. Really bad. You youngsters fuming today really have no idea!
Back then, dad took me everywhere. Home and aways (Except 'far ones' on a school night) I was there. I remember being outside the players entrance, pissed wet through, as the coach arrived. Dad offering words of encouragement to the lads, shaking Howards hand and wishing him luck. No matter how bad we were, my dad and his mates, and me, would be there.

One of dads mates worked at the club, nothing special just a normal job, and through him, dad became mates with Howard and the players. So as we gathered momentum and took all before us, I kind of got swept along. Name a big game from then, I was there. Dad's friendship with Howard grew too. So, as we conquered all, I felt more of a part of it because dad knew Howard, celebrated our successes with him, right there, right at the heart of it. Players lounge after games, me wandering amongst my heroes. My idols. It was a magical time for all of us. I will never forget a minute.

Then Howard left. Then he came back, left, and came back again. We know the history of those times. Howard never changed though, he was still Howard. He still had the same steely determination, the same desire and passion. It just wasn't to be. Howard though, well he just carried on being Howard.

He still enjoyed a drink, with the same lads, in the same bar. He still stopped to talk to everyone, he still had that warm smile and glint on his eye. He still remembered me, 30 yrs after I first met him, when I last spoke to him last year, he asked how dad was and smiled, a glint in his eye, "good times lad, good times" he said.

"The best of times Howard, the very best of times. Thank you"


RIP Gaffer. I will never forget the joy you gave me and my dad, and all of us.

Thank you.

Like you were only 11 in 1981 !

Apart from that, brilliantly put, and yet another tear.

I'm putting off watching some of the footage of today until the kids are in bed and I've had a good drink, so I can have a proper cry, yet again.

 

[blue4eva77]

Right, bear with me, I might waffle a bit...


Howard Kendall.

To me, he was all manner of things. As a 11 yr old kid, in 1981, he was one of my dad's idols, coming back to us. A legend coming back to fix us. We were awful back then. Really bad. You youngsters fuming today really have no idea!
Back then, dad took me everywhere. Home and aways (Except 'far ones' on a school night) I was there. I remember being outside the players entrance, pissed wet through, as the coach arrived. Dad offering words of encouragement to the lads, shaking Howards hand and wishing him luck. No matter how bad we were, my dad and his mates, and me, would be there.

One of dads mates worked at the club, nothing special just a normal job, and through him, dad became mates with Howard and the players. So as we gathered momentum and took all before us, I kind of got swept along. Name a big game from then, I was there. Dad's friendship with Howard grew too. So, as we conquered all, I felt more of a part of it because dad knew Howard, celebrated our successes with him, right there, right at the heart of it. Players lounge after games, me wandering amongst my heroes. My idols. It was a magical time for all of us. I will never forget a minute.

Then Howard left. Then he came back, left, and came back again. We know the history of those times. Howard never changed though, he was still Howard. He still had the same steely determination, the same desire and passion. It just wasn't to be. Howard though, well he just carried on being Howard.

He still enjoyed a drink, with the same lads, in the same bar. He still stopped to talk to everyone, he still had that warm smile and glint on his eye. He still remembered me, 30 yrs after I first met him, when I last spoke to him last year, he asked how dad was and smiled, a glint in his eye, "good times lad, good times" he said.

"The best of times Howard, the very best of times. Thank you"


RIP Gaffer. I will never forget the joy you gave me and my dad, and all of us.

Thank you.

Brilliant !!

A Brilliant post and brilliant story/memories.