I went to see John today in Swansea Terrace.
Took my laptop, charging cables, mobile hotspot and other paraphernalia, and I asked him if he'd watch the game with me, but unfortunately he didn't want to, he just wanted to sleep, so that was a shame.
I stayed about 15 minutes and asked a little bit about him and his past. He told me he's lived in Preston most of his life but was actually born near Harrow in Middlesex.
He knew it was a Saturday though, and he knew we were playing Queens Park Rangers.
I left him with his thoughts, but both agreeing we wanted Riis to score, and a 2-0 North End win.
Oh well.
Take it easy John, it was a pleasure to meet you.
(And a huge thanks to @royribble for everything, I saw your information on here and just popped in.)
Great effort @pnewortham. that's pretty much how I found him, which is a pity. He seems to have lost a lot of his will to experience quite a lot. It's all a bit sad actually.I went to see John today in Swansea Terrace.
Took my laptop, charging cables, mobile hotspot and other paraphernalia, and I asked him if he'd watch the game with me, but unfortunately he didn't want to, he just wanted to sleep, so that was a shame.
I stayed about 15 minutes and asked a little bit about him and his past. He told me he's lived in Preston most of his life but was actually born near Harrow in Middlesex.
He knew it was a Saturday though, and he knew we were playing Queens Park Rangers.
I left him with his thoughts, but both agreeing we wanted Riis to score, and a 2-0 North End win.
Oh well.
Take it easy John, it was a pleasure to meet you.
(And a huge thanks to @royribble for everything, I saw your information on here and just popped in.)
An update on things regarding John.
I've been contacted by Michael Barret at the club who is the heritage co-ordinator for PNE's Community and Education Trust's "Invincibles' Project.
Apparently, the shirt i purchased has been signed and he wants to arrange a visit. Before that he wants some background on John. I know John just from seeing him at St. Greg's before the game and on the ground at half time etc. Other than the fact he has some learning difficulties and his name, I don't know a lot more about him.
Can anyone on here provide any more info? Was John a season ticket holder and was he a regular at away games? Any further meat on the bones would be useful.
I'm ringing Michael on Friday to discuss and to (hopefully) make arrangements for the visit. Once we have decided on a day/time, would any of you guys like to be there when this happens? I will have to sort it with the home and make sure they are able to accommodate us etc.
Cheers everyone.
If nominations are allowed, could I suggest @pnewortham ?
An update on things regarding John.
I've been contacted by Michael Barret at the club who is the heritage co-ordinator for PNE's Community and Education Trust's "Invincibles' Project.
Apparently, the shirt i purchased has been signed and he wants to arrange a visit. Before that he wants some background on John. I know John just from seeing him at St. Greg's before the game and on the ground at half time etc. Other than the fact he has some learning difficulties and his name, I don't know a lot more about him.
Can anyone on here provide any more info? Was John a season ticket holder and was he a regular at away games? Any further meat on the bones would be useful.
I'm ringing Michael on Friday to discuss and to (hopefully) make arrangements for the visit. Once we have decided on a day/time, would any of you guys like to be there when this happens? I will have to sort it with the home and make sure they are able to accommodate us etc.
Cheers everyone.
Hi Roy I know nothing else apart from my brief time with John but I'd love to be there, if possible/allowed.
The bugger can give me my Okkels top back.
A massive shout out to @royribble and @pnewortham for making this happen…
You have both put in lots of effort to set up the meeting and involve the PNE community trust…
Thank goodness for great people like you 👍🏻👍🏻
This forum isn’t so toxic after all ….
I wonder if John would be interested in my story , only kidding !!!!!
Once I have details I'll let you know via this medium so you and others can participate if they wish. Cheers.
It’s a great thing you’re doing there, Roy. I really hope John can get the sense that many people care about him and he manages to find some joy in watching North End again.
It reminds me a bit of my dear old dad, who was a lifelong North Ender. He was left very disabled by a stroke, which just robbed him of his ability and interest in everything. I remember feeling heartbroken after sitting with him to watch a North End game on TV and right at the end of 90 minutes he asked me which team was Preston.
That is a very sad story Gordon and difficult memory for you. I was fortunate that my Dad had all his mental faculties right up to the end.
John is still fully functional mentally, as far as his difficulties allow, but just seems to have lost his confidence and enthusiasm for life in general. I think we all hope this will go some way in helping him regain his interest. Let's hope so eh?
I will be calling at the care home on Tuesday on my way to Preston for the game. During the visit, I am hoping to finalise the arrangements for the visit. Michael Barrett has suggested Friday 17th Jan at 10/10.30am. What I hope to do on Tuesday is get the necessary OK from the home and then I can confirm it with the club and yourselves and we can finally make it happen, fingers crossed.
Cheers all.
It’s a great thing you’re doing there, Roy. I really hope John can get the sense that many people care about him and he manages to find some joy in watching North End again.
It reminds me a bit of my dear old dad, who was a lifelong North Ender. He was left very disabled by a stroke, which just robbed him of his ability and interest in everything. I remember feeling heartbroken after sitting with him to watch a North End game on TV and right at the end of 90 minutes he asked me which team was Preston.
It’s never nice to see your loved ones struggling like that 🙁
The first time that I realised that my Dad had a problem ( Alzheimer’s) was when I went to visit him one Sunday afternoon and he said to me “ How did North End go on yesterday ? “ and I said “ We beat Charlton 2-1 “ about 2 minutes later, he said “ Did North End play yesterday ? “
I will be calling at the care home on Tuesday on my way to Preston for the game. During the visit, I am hoping to finalise the arrangements for the visit. Michael Barrett has suggested Friday 17th Jan at 10/10.30am. What I hope to do on Tuesday is get the necessary OK from the home and then I can confirm it with the club and yourselves and we can finally make it happen, fingers crossed.
Cheers all.