13 Apr 2018 21:57:36
My Mum, 2 sisters my brother myself along with our children are truly humbled by the response and good will we have received from the members of this forum, I now know why dad always talked fondly about this place. All of our kids (Grumpy's grand children) have learnt a valuable lesson, By sticking with what you believe in, even when standing apart from others, will always gain you respect in the long run. If this post goes off on a tangent that is because there are 4 of us trying to write it, Mum, Jackie, Jane and myself. Words fail us in trying to express our gratitude to each and every one of you. I see the posts about dad have now reached a full page on here, dad would have a lump in his throat reading them and be embarrassed at the same time, he didn't like fuss.
Someone asked for some insight into dad and after everything you have all done we feel it is the least we can do. Dad was born in Bootle and lived there until he was about 9 or 10 then moved to Speke, he kept saying to us kids he was born in the rubble and had a house brick for a pillow. I do not really know when he went to his first match as he always told us he was born an Evertonian. He would go to almost every home game and about half the away games every season, his party trick was to recite the full squad from any year people chose.
I don't know if he ever told you but when he is not at a game he listens on the radio and when Everton Score he did the "Conga". Mum told us that a sales rep from dolphin showers was at the house one day and dad had the match playing softly in the background, she said Everton scored and dad jumped up grabbed this poor salesman and started doing the conga. If you saw the size of dad you will see how he managed it, he was very very big. No matter what after doing the conga he would start laughing and it was so infectious you could not help but join in. In the 80's and 90's dad had a couple of businesses and every Saturday when Everton were playing he would get the staff a lot of drinks, that is those who attended. Part of the conditions were they had to recite the current Everton squad, those that did not would have to continue working and not be allowed a drink.
Dad loved playing devils advocate and always had the ability to see what he thought others had missed, he was so passionate about Everton that he refused point blank to hear anything bad about them. I could go on forever.
The one thing I do know is that when dad touched your life his way and manner would grow on you, I know he was my dad but he was the nicest, fairest and most genuine person I have ever known. I should be holding my head high with pride, instead we all feel devastated.
Thank you again
Tony.
{Ed001's Note - at least that explains a lot, no wonder he was Grumpy if he was from Bootle! Which part was he from?}
13 Apr 2018 22:25:47
Thanks Tony, appreciate the post. Good luck to all of the Grumpy family,
Mike.
{Ed003's Note - God bless you all, Everton fans/ footie rumours posters have lost a great man x }
13 Apr 2018 23:01:25
God Tony your defiantly Grumpytoffee's son. That was some post. Glad you posted it. As I said on my previous post I'm sure everyone would like to hear from you every so often if you can drop in to leave a post. Much love and respect to the original :-)
{Ed003's Note - Good shout}
14 Apr 2018 00:40:24
One of the best posts ever it brought a tear to my eyes, god bless you all x.
14 Apr 2018 02:14:09
if it's any consolation i will always have respect for your father for not budging on what he truly believed in, especially in this day and age where people value acceptance from society rather than fearlessly expressing themselves, please take this as a lesson from your dear (grand) father :)
14 Apr 2018 08:40:15
My goodness. I’m not ashamed to say that I’m crying my eyes out reading this. What a man!
Thanks Tony for helping us to see what a real man your Dad was. Looks like you have many more fond memories to cherish.
14 Apr 2018 08:59:44
Ace. Tears flowing here too.
Tony, thanks for all info. Just a shame we couldn't meet up with him and have a debate over few pints. Would have been fun. Seemed a lovely man and a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. The blues have lost another good one.
Hope he sending some good vibes down here today to help us beat Swansea. If we win I'll certainly be dedicating it to our grumpy.
Again condolences to the family and we'll all try to keep his spirit alive through these pages.
14 Apr 2018 10:42:25
Haven't been on here for a couple of days and just seen this news. Very sad but thanks for posting all that, Tony. Best wishes to you and your family.
14 Apr 2018 11:44:37
Thankyou for sharing Grumpies life with us he certainly was some man, i am sure he will be with us from up there this afternoon as we watch the match and debate what's going on as he always did on a Sat, RIP Grumpy mate you were a true gent.
14 Apr 2018 12:51:11
God bless you all. Here’s hoping the Blues can win today for Grumpy, then we can all do the conga in his memory, I’m sure he will be laughing then! RIP Grumpy.
14 Apr 2018 16:00:01
Great post Tony. Grumpy was a special guy and his posts will be missed by everyone on here I am sure. Keep up the great posts.
14 Apr 2018 18:16:39
Really touching words lump in the throat and tears in the eyes. We all know he had his views on here which he expressed in a considered way with Everton at heart but sounds like a top person and a great family man. You should all be proud.
14 Apr 2018 19:03:21
And this is why we are Everton, we are a family and we don't need to meet in person to feel saddened at the loss of one of our own. I always enjoyed Grumpys posts and his stance was nothing short of stubborn and after what you said about him Tony I now see why, he was a true Evertonian. Keep up the tradition your dad set and post your views, not everyone will agree with them but I guess that's what kept your dad coming back, he had his views and always stood by his posts. Will miss his posts and thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time.
14 Apr 2018 20:00:44
Just on here from the Liverpool site. Never saw Grumpys posts but he sounds like an incredible character and a very sad loss.
We may be rivals from across the park, but we are also a family.
My thoughts, condolences and best wishes go out to you and yours, and I hope you continue the family tradition on these boards (and ours) mate.
RIP Grumpy.
