Football - A Game of Emotion - Michael Kemp RIP
Sunday, 10th Nov 2013 20:51 Alasdair Ross, reproduced from his From Portman Road to the San Siro blog.
Saturday 9 November 2013, Histon 1 Vauxhall Motors 2, Conference North - Glassworld Stadium
Football has the ability to make you laugh, smile, cry, following a team can get you to feel all those emotions - even in a space of a few minutes.
Yesterday, two of us had morning commitments so we could not make the trip to Blackpool to see Ipswich play so to get our football fix we took the short trip up the A14 to see Histon take on Vauxhall Motors, whilst our mate Kempy took the train north.
The rest of the report should be about the neat ground, the two Vauxhall players booked for fighting each other and then Histon taking the lead before Vauxhall got their act together and ended up winning 2-1 giving myself and my mate Colin an entertaining afternoon, but instead the game was just the start of an evening of mixed emotions.
At the end of the game we rushed to the club bar to see how Ipswich were doing - emotion of surprise as we were still winning 2-1 but within seconds, we saw that Blackpool had drawn level - so 91 minutes and 2-2 but then 93 minutes and we were winning again.
A quick text to our mate Kempy in Blackpool and he replied "Won!!!". So we drove away happy - 90 minutes later and our emotions are very different, Kempy had collapsed in Blackpool and died.
Shock is the emotion I felt followed by anger and sadness, football was why we had become friends but we had stayed close friends with football just getting in the way, players and managers often get the title legend, many do not deserve it but when it comes to supporters - Kempy was an ITFC legend.
Kempy, left, with Alasdair
The away matches were a social occasion and football was just a small part of that day - Kempy was fun, intelligent, knowledgeable and loyal.
His views on modern football were obvious when you knew what he liked best - it was spending a cold December up at the training ground, with 20 other fans watching the Academy - no flash cars, big egos - just pure simple football.
Football for me will never be the same again - Michael Kemp RIP.
There’s a thread regarding Kempy on the TWTD board here, while Tyrone Mings and Paul Anderson have paid their tributes on Twitter, as have the club and Blackpool.
Photo: Action Images
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irishtim added 09:24 - Nov 11
R.I.P. Sounds like he was a great bloke and ipswich fan. My thoughts with his family and friends. |  | |
blues1 added 09:29 - Nov 11
didn't know him that well but did know him to talk to. a true blue. my sympathies go to his family and friends. R.I.P. Kempy. agree that there should be a minutes applause before the Leicester match.
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TractorCam added 09:31 - Nov 11
RIP fellow tractorboy, no one should go to football without returning. Hopefully a minute applause at the Leicester gamre |  | |
MaySixth added 10:17 - Nov 11
RIP
Never personally spoke to him but recognise his face and always saw him home and away.
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BillBlue added 10:39 - Nov 11
I never had th pleasure of knowing him but I am pleased he was a happy man when he died. My thoughts and comiserations are with his family and I will just say Rest in Peace Mr Kemp. I do like the idea of one minute set aside for this Town supporter. God bless you. |  | |
Carrotblue added 13:42 - Nov 11
RIP Kempy mate
Enjoyed all the beers with you in Europe
Never to be forgotten a legend
Name a bar after him at least a minutes applause
So sad | | |
Marcus added 14:14 - Nov 11
As with some of the above messages I only knew him in passing. He always came across as a gentleman (except, perhaps, on the subject of Norwich City, but then again...).
He'll be sadly missed. |  | |
roytheboy added 14:41 - Nov 11
May God bless you in Heaven Michael and also your loved ones left behind, it is lovely that you were able to see Ipswich win away before you left us, it makes me sad to read this tragic news. | | |
Pendejo added 15:00 - Nov 11
CLUCKING BELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kempy for those that never knew him or of him was the truest of true blues. Don't get a chance to get on here much for now, and the first time I do I see this terrible news.
I wouldn't claim to know him, but have talked to him on many occasions over more than 20 years of Ipswich supporting, from the early 80's in the old West Stand Terrace where Kempy was one of the most vocal of fans and the deliver of scathing witicisms.
Very sad
But hey maybe you can have a chat with Bobby, Alf, and all the blues of folk lore..
Oh and is the Amsterdam 81 story true? If so Kempy <!!> |  | |
Pendejo added 15:16 - Nov 11
So shock can now longer do basic math.... over 30 years of being aware of the Kemp | | |
TrueBlueFerret added 15:40 - Nov 11
I had the pleasure of knowing KEMPY for more years than I can remember. Certainly a TOP TOWN FAN through to the end,will miss you mate :-( Radio Suffolk after 1632 Sports News please listen.........
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jas0999 added 19:21 - Nov 11
Very sad and puts football into perspective. RIP. | | |
TimmyH added 20:57 - Nov 11
Very sad to hear...RIP Mr Kemp true ITFC fan! |  | |
madmouse1959 added 23:25 - Nov 16
Nice to see many of his workmates out last night having a drink in memory of "Kempy". ...Fond memories of a right nice fella .......Just seen the funny video on You Tube (You Tube search..."Kempy falling off chair")....Gonna miss you bud !!! . ...Mouse. |  | |
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