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#Post#: 28748--------------------------------------------------
A personal message from Readingfan
By: Readingfan Date: March 19, 2021, 6:49 am
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Hi everyone,
I have managed to find a health issue that isn't Covid! A recent
cancer diagnosis means that I will shortly completely lose my
vision (cue jokes about now being a good time to take up
refereeing!)
This is naturally a bit of a shock but I am doing well all
things considered.
It obviously means I won't be able to comment on any individual
refereeing decisions or performances after this weekend as I
won't witness them myself. Football has been such a big part of
my life for so many years, whether it be playing it at school or
with my mates (badly!) during those summer evenings of youth
that felt like they'd never end, going home and sometimes away
supporting Reading through the highs and the many lows, or just
watching a game - any league, any time at some points! - on the
TV. That I won't again see the green of the grass or the white
of the goal is definitely a big thing to get used to.
I still certainly hope to continue contributing to the general
discussion on this site though and will stay in touch with the
latest appointments and developments in the refereeing world -
coming to the site soon after 4pm on a Monday (or latterly
midday on a Tuesday) to despair at the latest set of
appointments has become a regular part of my weekly routine.
It's almost 15 years since I first joined this site's
predecessor. It's amazing now to think Martin Atkinson and Andre
Marriner were still in their second season as PL refs, Lee
Probert has yet to be promoted to the SG, and Dermot Gallagher
and Barry Knight were still officiating. There aren't many
things that stay constant for so long but I've certainly been a
regular reader and poster throughout the multiple different
stages of my life since then. There have been some posters
who've been regulars all along, some who have come and sadly
gone, some who are newer or post less often but make excellent
contributions all the same.
We have sometimes agreed and often disagreed, and there's
probably times I'd now disagree with something I wrote in the
heat of the moment, but it's nearly always been a friendly,
lively and engaging discussion about a topic many people are
clearly very interested in and give a lot of time to, whether it
be active officiating and mentoring themselves, record-keeping
and archival documentation of the past, or simply having
considered views to offer on the latest refereeing talking
points. I hope this site has many years of good health in it
and, as I say, I'll join in where I can.
I hope you and your loved ones are all safe and well, and here's
to many years of good health to anyone reading this too! :)
#Post#: 28749--------------------------------------------------
Re: A personal message from Readingfan
By: bmb Date: March 19, 2021, 7:20 am
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Wow! I am so sorry to hear this Readingfan. Huge life change.
Big hugs to you, I know they won't help any but I'm sending them
anyway.
Is there anything we can do as a site to help you remain
involved to some degree?
#Post#: 28750--------------------------------------------------
Re: A personal message from Readingfan
By: Conkernut Date: March 19, 2021, 7:29 am
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Absoulutely gutted for you at reading this. I have really
enjoyed reading your contributions over the years.
Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Your message paints
you as a very brave and corageous human being, I hope you
continue to be so as you enter this new phase of your life.
[emoji169] [emoji169] [emoji169]
#Post#: 28754--------------------------------------------------
Re: A personal message from Readingfan
By: ajb95 Date: March 19, 2021, 8:05 am
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What a sickener readingfan. Hopefully you can still enjoy and
have a fruitful life!
Take care and all the best!
#Post#: 28757--------------------------------------------------
Re: A personal message from Readingfan
By: guest3 Date: March 19, 2021, 10:31 am
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I feel so sorry after hearing this Readingfan. My thoughts are
with you.
You are and will remain an invaluable member of this forum.
#Post#: 28760--------------------------------------------------
Re: A personal message from Readingfan
By: JCFC Date: March 19, 2021, 11:01 am
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What terrible news for you to receive, Readingfan, but thank you
for informing us and allowing us to express our shock and
sorrow.
I was at a loss for a rating for your post. "Sad" goes without
saying, but is too weak, while at the same time not reflecting
the tone of what you say. "Like" would have sounded wrong, but
had there been an "Admire" option, that is what I would
definitely have gone for. Your stoical acceptance of the
situation and positive thoughts for the future certainly
indicate that you will make the most of things and adapt to your
new circumstances. I am sure that those around you will offer
every support and that with technology, you will be able to
remain in touch. We certainly all hope so.
I trust that with the attitude shown, you will continue to enjoy
your life and find alternative sources of pleasure. I wish you
the very best of luck.
#Post#: 28774--------------------------------------------------
Re: A personal message from Readingfan
By: Hadrian Date: March 19, 2021, 5:00 pm
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Desperately sorry to read this. I have always found your posts
on this site to be some of the most reasonable, level-headed and
worth reading. Wishing you all the very best.
#Post#: 28778--------------------------------------------------
Re: A personal message from Readingfan
By: OwdReds Date: March 20, 2021, 4:14 am
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So sorry to hear this. Whilst I hope you will be able to
continue to enjoynthe game we love in some way it puts all our
disagreements over decisions into perspective. My thoughts and
prayers are with you.
#Post#: 28914--------------------------------------------------
Re: A personal message from Readingfan
By: Readingfan Date: March 22, 2021, 7:48 pm
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Thanks ever so much to everyone for their kind words - they mean
a lot. I will definitely haim to stay in touch with the RTR
community.
#Post#: 28940--------------------------------------------------
Re: A personal message from Readingfan
By: flipmode Date: March 23, 2021, 5:46 pm
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[quote author=Readingfan link=topic=2275.msg28748#msg28748
date=1616154578]
I still certainly hope to continue contributing to the general
discussion on this site though and will stay in touch with the
latest appointments and developments in the refereeing world -
coming to the site soon after 4pm on a Monday (or latterly
midday on a Tuesday) to despair at the latest set of
appointments has become a regular part of my weekly
routine.[/quote]
I can't even begin to fathom how long this has taken you to
process, but the thing that hit me the most about this, was how
similar your routine is to mine with the quoted text. This is
something I'll never take for granted again.
I've always found your posts to be more on the objective side,
rather than the biased side in respect to refereeing
performances involving Reading matches. I have regularly found
your comments to be of the upmost quality, and I think I speak
for the whole admin team in saying that your contributions will
be sorely, sorely missed.
I hope you're able to find some comfort in this new journey you
find yourself on. Your attitude is very inspiring in the
circumstances, and you show great resilience.
I'll certainly miss your contributions on this site, Readingfan.
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