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Post by jeff on Feb 1, 2008 21:48:21 GMT
me to Stef, looking over Andy's shoulders at the view we had of the rink brings back a lot of memories of the good times we all had downstairs, things like when the two chaps from ac/dc were there doing a puck drop but they went missing, the rink and panthers staff were running all over the place looking for them, and where were they ? stood out back having a fag with Andy.
keith, we had some cracking times on the scotland trips, most of which i could not print on here, lol. hope to see you all again either on the 7th or on the 9th.
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Post by kayno on Feb 2, 2008 11:40:16 GMT
Always a laugh, always a smile, always wisdom, always ANDY!
If success can be measured by the number of friends you have, then these messages alone speak volumes for what a lovely, kind and gentle man Andy Smith was.
lots of love and heart-felt sympathy to Cate, Fran and Grant, Shiela and Brian, Chris, Jue & children and to all who knew and loved Andy
Great pics everyone, Im sure Andy would be proud.
Thinking of you all at this very difficult time.
Lisa, Phil & Children xxxx
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Milkman™
Les Strongman
Always Delivers
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Post by Milkman™ on Feb 2, 2008 12:32:42 GMT
things like when the two chaps from ac/dc were there doing a puck drop but they went missing, the rink and panthers staff were running all over the place looking for them, and where were they ? stood out back having a fag with Andy. . That was a great night, I got a right roasting for that, as the only smoker on the 'corridor' side of the arena I was asked to take AC/DC for a tab. Andy and Fats kept them entertained for a good half and hour, and I 'missed' several phone calls from up above requesting their presence, terrible mobile reception out back of that arena I can tell you. As I posted earlier, I only knew Andy from period breaks, but did spend 3 years smoking away the period breaks with him, he always had his family round him, and he and Fats would hold court at the bottom of the steps. RIP Andy Chris F
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Post by carolle on Feb 7, 2008 22:02:36 GMT
It was wonderful to see so many people there today for Andy and his family.
The service summed up Andy perfectly.. starting with "Always look on the bright side of life"
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Post by focus12 on Feb 7, 2008 22:19:02 GMT
We were very sorry that we couldn't make it today, but was too busy rushing Jim to the hospital. Glad everything went well, and hope everyone is now feeling a little better
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2008 23:21:47 GMT
It was wonderful to see so many people there today for Andy and his family It was wonderful. There were some lovely readings. Nice to see so many hockey shirts but above all, the complete row of stripeys. It seemed appropriate that going from the church to Bramcote we hit red lights all the way.
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Post by jeff on Feb 8, 2008 10:24:14 GMT
The first thing I would like to say is a ready big thank you to everyone; I was overwhelmed by all the old friends and family and im sorry I could not spend more time talking to you all. Stef you missed one stripy off – Andy was wearing his and was fully equipped with hockey pass and clip board The choice of music was fantastic, at one point I felt like waving my arms in the air, only Andy could get away with having Monty python, bob marly and puff daddy played at a funeral. The journey from the church to the crematorium was so funny and Andy would have been crying with laughter, I did not know the way so had to stay as close to the hearse as possible, this did not go quite to plan, along the ring road I had to go through two traffic lights that were border line red, had to speed a little to catch up, we joked that Andy would love it if we got pulled up – sorry officer we were just following the hearse.
Their was not enough time for everyone that wanted to, too sign The book of remembrance that was at the church, so we are trying to find somewhere at the rink that we can put it on Saturday so people that did not have time or could not make it to the church can sign it.
On the way back to Lincoln the wife pointed out that I had cocked up, an old friend had driven all the way from Stratford upon Avon to be there yesterday and like a prat I did not get his contact details, woody you are a real mate and if you read this please send me a email (jeff.uk01@googlemail.com).
On a lighter note I would like to wish Cate a happy birthday for today.
And thanks Steve / jenny for the info, it was great to see Nita go bright red.
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Post by jeff on Feb 8, 2008 10:39:40 GMT
thanks to Stef and Helen for the photos i have uploaded them - s89.photobucket.com/albums/k222/jeff_jane/andy/I'm still after any pics you have, if you have proper photos and no way of scanning them get in touch and we will arrange to get them done for you. many thanks. Jeff Andy your memory will live on forever, love Jeff
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neeta
Jade Galbraith
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Post by neeta on Feb 8, 2008 11:38:29 GMT
Just wanted to say what a wonderful send off to Andy yesterday. Everyone really did him proud and like many of you have said, he would have been laughing his head of at everything. I would not have missed yesterday for the world. Whenever I think of Andy, its just that smiling face.
You will never be forgotten Andy and please say hi to Maggie and Dave. Oh and press that button for us on the 20th (10 times should do it) Oh and now you have to behave and dont light your farts!!!!! :-)
I have cancelled my trip to London tomorrow as want to be there to carry on the celebration of his life in the Castle and the arena.
Sending all my love to Cate and family, see you there on Saturday. Oh and thanks dad for the embarrassment!!!!!
Anita xxxxx
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Post by lukethomas on Feb 8, 2008 11:49:22 GMT
Would just like to add my thoughts on yesturday. Was a very very nice service, excellent turnout. Mike Ellis must have flown in from training to make it to the church in time! I have never seen a hearse drive so fast, over 40mph on the ringroad (just like when Andy was a little late back after a period break and was doing the quick step back to his end and trying not to spill his coffee!).
Jeff, i just hope none of those Red Light camera's were working on the ringroad, we were borderline at times then you just flew straight through behind us! Trust Andy to play the practical joke of turning those red lights on all the way there. Bet he was having a right giggle to himself!
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Post by jeff on Feb 8, 2008 14:01:37 GMT
neeta - pity you did not say something back then i could have really made you red, not really. see you tomorrow.
lukethomas - i shall keep my fingers crossed, if i get a ticket then so be it, there was no way is was going to get lost and miss it.
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Post by lukethomas on Feb 8, 2008 15:26:35 GMT
Fingers crossed for you Jeff. We tried to wave you passed when Chris passed us, but couldnt get your attention!
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Post by spik on Feb 8, 2008 16:41:28 GMT
Jeff, So glad you found pictures 1,2 and 9 which I still had trouble locating.Probably still back at my mums.... somewhere. Even though I could not find them I could remember what they were like.All the riff raff of Nottingham strung together from those old days in glorified black and white.
Mum (Mrs.C) Vera Chambers, sends her thoughts and although I was not at the church, I took time remembering those past times. It was my birthday and on the way back from a game, at a service station, we tried to get as many people into a phone box, what a crush. Also I remember when we all (men) had to line up outside a coach in a motorway service area, the police gave us all a ticking off when a player had eaten 3 portions of chips but only paid for one. How the coach driver went round a road Island on the way to Whitley '3' times and we all booed when he didn't do a third...and all those songs/dances sung on the coach? Typified by those pictures you now have. Suppose Andy will be meeting up with My dad (Mr.c), nephews Mark and Adrian and the others from those happy days. All in good company then and now.
Mick Chambers
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Post by buster on Feb 8, 2008 16:52:48 GMT
me to Stef, looking over Andy's shoulders at the view we had of the rink brings back a lot of memories of the good times we all had downstairs, things like when the two chaps from ac/dc were there doing a puck drop but they went missing, the rink and panthers staff were running all over the place looking for them, and where were they ? stood out back having a fag with Andy. thats a cracking story i guess it must be quite humbling for andy's family and friends, to have people speak about andy in such a positive way and remember him being such a nice guy. its nice to see you all so proud to have been a part of his life and for him to have been a part of yours.
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Post by jeff on Feb 8, 2008 18:11:38 GMT
this pic sums Andy up a treat the one thing i do miss about not going to the hockey is the friends, in the days of the road runners / nobs you would not have met a more unlikely group of friends, all ages, from all walks of life, for some reason we all bonded and became one big family, one thing i have learnt from these past weeks is we may have all got older, we may now live a long way apart but that bond is still there.
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Post by Sykora on Feb 8, 2008 18:14:52 GMT
Really shocked to hear the sad news from Anita... lots of memories of the road runners and Nobs even if i was only a kid and you had to check that me and Anita were asleep before reciting Eskimo Nell (we weren't!!) Hope Andy is partying in hockey heaven with Maggie and Dave Sarah (Anitas little blonde mate) xx
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Post by jeff on Feb 8, 2008 19:34:58 GMT
Jeff, So glad you found pictures 1,2 and 9 which I still had trouble locating.Probably still back at my mums.... somewhere. Even though I could not find them I could remember what they were like.All the riff raff of Nottingham strung together from those old days in glorified black and white. Mum (Mrs.C) Vera Chambers, sends her thoughts and although I was not at the church, I took time remembering those past times. It was my birthday and on the way back from a game, at a service station, we tried to get as many people into a phone box, what a crush. Also I remember when we all (men) had to line up outside a coach in a motorway service area, the police gave us all a ticking off when a player had eaten 3 portions of chips but only paid for one. How the coach driver went round a road Island on the way to Whitley '3' times and we all booed when he didn't do a third...and all those songs/dances sung on the coach? Typified by those pictures you now have. Suppose Andy will be meeting up with My dad (Mr.c), nephews Mark and Adrian and the others from those happy days. All in good company then and now. Mick Chambers hi mick, thanks. we should start a new thread either on here or elsewere, stories from the past etc.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2008 20:01:13 GMT
we should start a new thread either on here or elsewere, stories from the past etc. Jeff, Have a scroll through Amnesia Lane. Some good tales about the old days on there.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2008 20:51:14 GMT
in the days of the road runners / nobs you would not have met a more unlikely group of friends, all ages, from all walks of life, for some reason we all bonded and became one big family, one thing i have learnt from these past weeks is we may have all got older, we may now live a long way apart but that bond is still there. .....and always will be, Jeff. Things like winning trophies, wage caps, who's the best fighter etc are important, but the friendships you make transcend all that, as we saw on Thursday.
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Post by jayne on Feb 9, 2008 10:15:50 GMT
I attended Andy's funeral on Thursday and, as lots of others have already said on here, the service was so appropriate to celebrate Andy's life. The music and readings all brought back lots of wonderful memories of Andy and many tears were shed. When we were all talking about our fantastic away trips and the things we used to get up to on the bus and at rinks around the country, all I could picture was Andy bursting into fits of laughter as that's what he always did. Andy loved his hockey, especially the away trips years ago and we were just like one big family. Like Jeff said earlier although we have all moved on and are some years older that bond is still there. Although the hockey is great today, the away trips will never be the same. I can remember times when there were more players coming home on the supporters coach than their own! No matter where we went we all had such a great time, whether it was Whitley Bay or Blackpool in the freezing cold or the delights of Billingham and Durham! I just hope that everyone makes alot of noise tonight for Andy as I know he will be looking down on us with that great big smile on his face. Thanks go to Cate's sister for making us all very welcome at her house.
Jayne
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Post by Fran Smith on Feb 9, 2008 14:02:39 GMT
We would all like to say a Big thank you to all that came to dads funeral and the party afterwards, was nice to see so many people that have known dad over the years. We would also like to say a big thank you to everyone at panthers for the great support over the last couple of weeks and i know dad will have a giant smile on his face tonight when we all celebrate his life. We have uploaded some photos from the party but the quality is not great as mum hasn't got the hang of the camera dad had for Christmas, so was videoing most of the time instead of taking pictures lol. We will give you all a wave tonight from our box which panthers kindly gave to us so all our family could join us at the game. s128.photobucket.com/albums/p166/F_R_Smithuk/Dad/ Thanks again Fran, Cate and Grant Smith xxx
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Post by grumpyminer on Feb 10, 2008 1:21:29 GMT
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Post by judgemental on Feb 10, 2008 7:29:45 GMT
Walking through the lower corridor at what was my first game back after Andy’s death was hard for me, but a very very big thank you to all the off ice officials and friends who greeted me with a smile, hand shake or a hug. You are all great friends and Andy knew that too. Standing by Andy’s booth hearing the noise of the crowd with my head bowed I felt a surge of pride for my brother, that was a fantastic moment for me. But nothing prepared me for when I looked up to see all the players, the fans, the office officials facing towards the booth, that was overwhelming. I had every possible surge of feeling/emotion run through my body. I held it together but boy was I not ready for that. You all clapped longer and louder than ever before and I thank you all far more than words can explain. MISSED YA BRO.
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Post by spik on Feb 10, 2008 11:17:13 GMT
Glad I bumped into you Jeff on the corridor. Wrote my piece in the book as so many did. Saw everything went well on the evening. Funny how times like this take you unexpectedly. A sad moment in reflection gets you tearful.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2008 11:18:31 GMT
all the players..........facing towards the booth That was a nice gesture by the Caps players. Clearly Jock Hay has forgiven, forgotten, or both, the things Andy used to shout at him when we went to Murrayfield I remember one time back in the old days we went to Murrayfield to watch Panthers, and they were a goal judge short. So Andy did the game. Fan to official, just like that.
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