Please stand and applause on the 52nd minute at the game tonight- Dave Murtagh memorial

[St Pauli]

Good Morning all,

Friday night just passed I was on the phone to a friend of mine and long term Reading fan Dave Murtagh about midnight. Dave had mentioned he had a spare ticket going for the Fulham game so and I was eager to take it off his hands and go to the game. We agreed to confirm the details Saturday morning.

Saturday morning I text Dave, but when he didn't answer I phoned him. His ex-wife Tricia picked up the phone in tears, and informed that Dave had died of a heart attack that morning, aged 52.

Dave has a large group of friends in Reading and is well known in the area, particularly among those who have worked on the Railway, gone to Reading games for decades, or drunk in the pubs and clubs of the town.

People often write good things about people after they've died, but with Dave anything good said is genuinely true. Dave always had an ear for anyone who needed a chat, and never had a bad word for anyone. You'd never hear him put anyone down or patronise them. He'll be sorely missed by his family and friends.

ETA: Because of this, we're asking the club to supporting a campaign for fans tonight to stand and clap on the 52nd minute at the game tonight, by using the big screen, please contact the club if you wish to support this.

Please support if you can.

[windermereROYAL]

Appreciate what you are saying, but this forum makes up a small percentage of the crowd that will be there tonight, if it is published on the big screen there may be a chance.
I recall an expat living in NZ passed away a few months back and the same appeal. nothing happened.
Sad for your loss may he RIP.

[genome]

Will PM you Pauli - Dave was a family friend of mine.

[St Pauli]

Yes we're trying to get the club to support the move by using the big screen, please contact the club to show your support as well.

Thanks Genome.

[BR0B0T]

RIP In Peace....but does every fcuking game need a gesture?

[Basildon]

RIP In Peace....but does every fcuking game need a gesture?

Why shouldn't there be a gesture?

[The Informant]

Why does every fcuking game need a minutes applause of some type?

I know it must be a sad time for you St Pauli and condolences to his family but it's getting ridiculous.

People die all the time.

[St Pauli]

RIP In Peace....but does every fcuking game need a gesture?

I take your point but I think the way in which it happened, on the the day of the game last week, and the way in which we found out is what it making people push for something at the game.

[The Informant]

I get it for ex players/managers etc but not for every fan that dies

That being said, if there is some kind of applause tonight of course I will join briefly.

[bobby1413]

Just to let you all know that if I die, I really don't want a fuss. Just please carry on as normal.

Sorry for the loss of your friend

[The Informant]

Just to let you all know that if I die, I really don't want a fuss. Just please carry on as normal.

Sorry for the loss of your friend

I will eat a kebab, a pizza and a burger king in your honor

[St Pauli]

Here's the update on the situation, from the friend who's organising this and who asked me to publicise it here, and personally I'm happy with what the club have decided:

Good morning, all. Andy Dawber, Dave’s long-time friend and work colleague (27 years standing) who Guz talked with at the start of the thread kindly gave me a call too. As it stands, Andy’s sons have been pushing through a Twitter and Facebook campaign encouraging a minutes applause on 52 minutes, reflecting Dave’s age. Whilst the club haven’t given it it’s official sanction (normally minutes’ applause would be for the passing of a playing or managerial legend) they are happy if the crowd stand up and applaud themselves on 52 minutes to commemorate Dave. Andy doesn’t think Dave’s picture will come up on 52 minutes but they are paying tribute to him at half time along with a message in tribute to him by Jacqui at the club, putting up a picture of him on screen outside ‘his favourite pub’ Andy told me (sorry – I didn’t enquire as to the name of the pub) supplied by Karen Watts, gate keeper at Reading station and the girl who was heartbroken to find him on Saturday morning. Flowers will be left on Dave’s chair, and Zara in charge of the Programme production was doing her best to get something in today’s programme but is constrained by the tight deadline. We’re hoping something will be in tonight’s programme.

[genome]

Why does every fcuking game need a minutes applause of some type?

I know it must be a sad time for you St Pauli and condolences to his family but it's getting ridiculous.

People die all the time.

I know right? God forbid something briefly causes you some mild annoyance

[Silver Fox]

I've got no issue with this and if it upsets melts like The Informant all the better, but please stand and applause? Come on St Pauli, you've let yourself down there

[The Reverend]

RIP In Peace....but does every fcuking game need a gesture?

Why shouldn't there be a gesture?

Because there's a Garden of Remembrance
Because there's a memorial wall
Because the more often you do it the less it means

St Pauli, I'm genuinely sorry for your loss. Not trying to be a git by saying these things but the only time these issues are raised is when such requests are made.

[semtex1871]

do you think we'll have a minutes applause when Prince Philip dies?

[windermereROYAL]

do you think we'll have a minutes applause when Prince Philip dies?

yes in the 96th minute

[Jagermesiter1871]

I'd rather stand up and applaud for the death of one of our fans than the king of Thailand or a royalty. If that means doing it 15,000 times so be it.

[Top Flight]

I'd rather stand up and applaud for the death of one of our fans than the king of Thailand or a royalty. If that means doing it 15,000 times so be it.

I too will stand and applaud/remember one of our own. Respect to all Reading FC supporters.

[muirinho]

I'd rather stand up and applaud for the death of one of our fans than the king of Thailand or a royalty. If that means doing it 15,000 times so be it.

+15,000