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The 21st Minute
Written by pablop on Sunday, 26th Apr 2015 17:39

On Easter Monday last year I took my 86-year-old father to his first football match. I had recently moved back from Wiltshire to support my ageing parents. Although not ideal, this did enable me to come to regular home matches having only recently seen Town play at Reading, Bristol or Cardiff and very occasionally at Portman Road.

He thoroughly enjoyed it, commenting on the noise and atmosphere. I got him close up to the pitch in the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand - a prime spot to see Paul Anderson thunder the first goal into the roof of the net. The game was an entertaining 2-2 draw but saw Town's play-off chance slip away for that year.

This season Ipswich Town are right back in it. I've been able to attend all but two of the home games plus that uplifting draw at St Mary's in January and promised to take my Dad to another match "real soon". "I'll go again when Ipswich are in the Premiership," he joked with me. The week before the Blackpool match he passed away.

In the build-up to Saturday's crucial match against Nottingham Forest I read about the loss of the young Town fan Chris Reynolds and his family's desire for a minute's applause on 21 minutes, during the game. It was mentioned again on [i]Life's a Pitch[/i] as I drove up the A12 and I thought to myself that this was a magnificent thing for Chris's family and friends to organise. I decided to add my enthusiastic applause to the tribute for Chris and also remember my Dad during that minute.

I also heard on the Radio Suffolk show that a group of Irish youngsters and their teachers from Daryl Murphy's school had chosen to come to see Ipswich Town instead of the usual big name Premier League team due to Murphy's and Town's success. They were all keen to see Town's big number nine add to his impressive goal tally for the season.

It had to happen. As the tribute applause rang out around Portman Road for Chris, Daryl Murphy scored his 25th goal of the season. "That family will LOVE that!" was the comment echoed all around the ground and we all felt warmed by that moment for so many reasons.

I went to the Blackpool match the Saturday after my father had passed away. Town put us through the ringer! Blackpool took the lead. Freddie Sears rescued the situation in double quick time only for the already relegated Blackpool to equalise. I stand in the North Stand lower now and when Christophe Berra scored Ipswich's late winner the emotions were too much and I burst into tears! I must have been right on the edge but it shows what your team and this game can do to you.

I've got loads to thank my father for. And it was down to him that I became a Town fan. In the mid-seventies he sent me to boarding school in Ipswich. The same one where Sir Bobby Robson had his son educated. Great memories of the FA Cup triumph and watching Johan Cruyff from the terracing at the Churchman's end. Paul Mariner, Alan Brazil, Kevin Beattie and John Wark and the rest - great days. But my enjoyment of Town's success now stacks up well against that time. It's been a great season for me to have 'come home' whatever happens now.

Saturday was an emotional day for many people with the minute's silence for the Bradford anniversary and the incredible minute's applause in memory of Chris concluded by the Murphy goal which must have sent our Irish friends home very happy.

But Town did it to us again! An own goal from Town's defensive rock put Ipswich on the back foot. Mick sent on some fresh legs. The time ticked by but Freddie Sears, the signing of the season, blew the roof off the stadium by scoring the archetypal late winner. And yes I ended the game once again in tears.

These are the things that make you a football fan of your particular club, forever. Forget 'hoof ball' and 'square pegs in round holes' and 'why didn't we strengthen more in January'. Let's celebrate Ipswich Town's awesome season which goes on - now down to the wire! COYB!




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AndrewPC added 18:12 - Apr 26
Congratulations pablob ! Lovely article, spoken from the heart.
2

TractorCam added 18:16 - Apr 26
Lovely article mate, sorry to hear about your dad
3

ChestnutSe added 18:42 - Apr 26
Yes, I thought that 21st minute goal was particularly poignant. You couldn't make it up.
3

bluesince84 added 18:45 - Apr 26
what a wonderful article. Football is all about family. Ive been going since 94' with my dad, grandad, uncle , two cousins and my nan. same group every game for 21 years. its the conversation at dinner tables, christmas dinners, birthday meals. I went to my cousins today for his birthday and within 2 mins we were talking about the combinations and possibilities for next sat. Sorry to hear about your dad mate, what a wonderful thing though, before he died, to go to the match with you. All the best to you my friend. hope the season ends in a manner that would have made your dad proud.
3

Dolly2.0 added 19:05 - Apr 26
Lovely article, cheers.
2

north_stand77 added 19:29 - Apr 26
Thank you for taking the time to write your thoughts. It was an emotional day all round and It felt like all in the stadium were in unison yesterday, pretty much how it used to be in the past. Hopefully that can continue in our quest!
2

LILYDRAIN added 20:36 - Apr 26
Yes, it was an emotional day yesterday. I was there with my son and at about 21 minutes 30 seconds he said the way to really mark Chris' passing would be to get goal. Hey presto.

I met my late husband on the ferry in 1981 going to the UEFA Cup Final second leg. He was a very devoted Town who unfortunately passed away last year. I keep thinking it is a shame he can't see the progress this season - although he did see the first game against Fulham whilst he was in hospital.
2

Tufty added 07:15 - Apr 27
I shed a tear too Pablop.
I used to travel from Derbyshire with my Dad up until his death in 2011.
I still miss him talking about the game ahead on the journey down, sausage and chips in the car and then his frustrations or celebrations on the way back.
What you cant take away are the memories, so special to us all, unique but with a common thread - the love we have for people close to us and the sympathy we share with those who have lost a special person.
2

blue7579 added 08:11 - Apr 27
Think that's what makes itfc so special, its not all about the football, first thing I thought listening to the radio Saturday was not of promotion on 21 mins, but Chris.
2

pablop added 12:36 - Apr 27
Thanks for all the positive comments. Check this out - sums it up really: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10206037417589897&id=1095122866&ref=
2

irishtim added 13:24 - Apr 27
Very well said and written. Sorry for your loss.
3

Illinoisblue added 15:47 - Apr 27
well said fella. Football, and sharing lifetime memories with family and friends over decades, elevates life.
1

bohslegend added 17:05 - Apr 27
Great blog Pablop. Lovely story well told.

Keep on Singin' the Blues mate.
1

SloughBlue added 16:43 - Apr 28
Very emotional review.I fully understand everything you've written and have much in common(especially remembering early days at Portman Road and possibly being at same school so Saturdays proved difficult!!!) Good to know we continue to follow Town although we have moved away from the area.Heres looking forward to a positive outcome on Saturday and a trip to Wembley.
1

Carberry added 16:38 - Apr 30
Thank you for sharing your emotions with your Ipswich Town family.
You've made us all remember your Dad too, very moving.
1
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