Fitzhugh Fella

For those who are interested in our history, I am sad to report that Saints oldest living player Charlie Purves has just passed away in Southampton aged 92. He played 36 games for us between 1951 and 1954, having joined from Charlton. That makes Stan Clements who has just turned 90 the oldest Saints player while just behind him is Bill Ellerington who is 90 tomorrow.

Bill Ellerington coming up 90 years old. Spoke to him this week.

Absolutely horrendous, even worse than last years and that was awful. Whoever came up with this garbage should be shot

Still missing some big hitters contributions

Was in Petersfield yesterday and called in to John Westwood's book shop. He has lost a shed load of weight it must be all the worry.

The reason we went from navy blue shorts to black was that the blue dye faded badly and so the change was for practical reasons. Personally I would like to go back to navy shorts but only if there are stripes above.

He sounds like an absolute fruit and nut case - no thanks wouldn't take him on a free.

Jeremy Wilson who tracked Ron down for his Cult Heroes being just one

Constructive dismissal exercise I would say - AP is going to have to walk and now he has a cause

Let's give him a chance, MP knows what he is doing. The guy is young, has pedigree, speaks English and has 17 caps with a premier international side. He may have lost his way a little last season which means he will be keen to reassert himself.

Just been informed it has been put back again - I sometimes wonder if it is worth the effort. The family were really looking forward to hearing the programme today.

Sorry keep getting that wrong

On another thread I reported back that R4 have held it back another week due to the death of tom Wolfe

R4 have just e mailed me the tribute to Ron will not be aired tomorrow probably next week

I gather Ron has now been cremated in Albuqurque and his ashes flown to Oregon where his daughter lives. I was interviewed by BBC R4 this morning for a feature on Ron in their "The Last Word" programme. Mick Channon also contributed. It might be aired tomorrow at 4, but I gather it may now be put back due to the death of Tom Wolfe but it will definitely be broadcasted soon - if not tomorrow they will let me know when. That's about it.

I spoke to Ron's sister Monday and she was waiting for a call from Ron's daughter - not heard anything since and having fallen quite literally in the Solent today while bass fishing my phone is now US. Sorry I am out of the loop

Thanks for that - will cram in as much as possible, found out yesterday he was the eldest of five and his dad, Tudor was a foreman joiner and a good goalkeeper!

Well I asked how long would I be interviewed and she said half an hour. I am not familiar with the programme but she said they are keen to find an obituary with a difference.

Don't know how many on here listen to BBC R4 but at 4pm this Friday on "The Last word" they are planning to do a lengthy (30min) documentary/obituary feature on Ron Davies. I have been asked to record something towards the programme which I am doing on Thursday. This afternoon I had quite a long chat with Marlene, Ron's sister (he had three sisters and a brother - he was the eldest). They have followed all the tributes on websites etc and are very touched by all of your memories etc. If the club do arrange anything next season like organise a minute's silence or whatever they wish to attend and I said I would keep them posted. So in the meantime grab a radio on Friday afternoon if you want to know a bit more about Ron's life.

Have now spoken directly to a member of Ron's family. Both his daughter who lives in the States and his sister who lives in the NW of England have been in touch with the authorities in Albuquerque and are working something out between them. I have asked to be kept informed and if there is to be any ceremonies in this country I have asked that the fans will be given a chance to participate in some way. They are very touched by the reaction of the Saints fans. I am ringing back on Tuesday to get further updates.

David Bull has just posted this elsewhere and I am sure he would not mind me posting it on here Perhaps I could react to the messages re Ron, first with a thank-you and then by commenting on one issue raised: the video; THANKS Thank you to those who have been complimentary, on and off List, re the tribute that Duncan and I composed for the website. For my part, it would have been an abuse of privilege not to have assembled suitable material, given that I had interviewed Ron and Siddie twice each and Terry umpteen times. And Duncan could draw on the RON IS KING story, his involvement in the Give-it-to-Ron campaign and the privilege of sitting with Ron and Chris at the De Vere dinner for Ted Bates in 1998. It shd be recorded that Duncan owed that privilege to his friend Kevin Stevens, who had so generously sponsored Ron's trip, with Chris, from Florida. It fell to Duncan to wake Ron - the bar had by then been open for almost 12 hrs - to step up at midnight and present Ted Bates with a signed blow-up of the wonderful caricature of Ted that he had drawn, unsolicited, as a frontispiece for DELL DIAMOND. Paul Bennett, who had organised the dinner, has just told me that the highlight of the evening for him was Ron holding Ted in a headlock, as he made an unrehearsed presentation speech. I was standing next to the two of them and swear that it was the only way Ron was going to stay upright. Whatever, it was quite something to see this great, great signing of Ted making this impromptu speech as he threatened to squeeze Ted's head off. The good nes is that stoical Ted liked the signed blow-up and a framed copy hung thereafter on his landing at home THE VIDEO My privileged interviews with Ron were both conducted in his Florida home. On my 1st visit, he asked me if I could get a copy of the video of his four goals at Old T. I rang Granada, but no joy. Then, on the Monday after said dinner, Siddie bumped into Len Ashurst (with whom he'd played for the U-23s) in the Dell carpark. Ashurst said he had a copy of said video (dont ask me how or why). He duly sent a copy to Siddie in Perth; he fwded a copy to Ron; and on my 2nd visit, we sat and watched it. This showing confirmed what I'd always thought from watching the game live: somebody else had got a touch as one of Ron's three headers went in. I was at the wrong end, but thought the last touch was Frank Saul's. The video evidence shows that it was United's full-back (and later Saint), Francis Burns, who was blatantly pushed in the back by Saul, as he tried to clear. I recently rang Burns, who's also ended up in Perth, and that's certainly how he remembers it. But Ron was having none of it as we watched: it was HIS goal. What a Dubious Goals panel would have made of it, goodness knows, but the record books tell us that Ron got four that day and I'll continue to applaud that fact. That's about all I know for now. I see the GUARDIAN has a good-size obit of Ron today. Thanks again David PS The Independent also has an obit - Duncan

Update: Just spoken to a few people and it seems Ron's youngest daughter and another relative from the north-west have been in touch with the hospital which is good news. The family can now make all the necessary decisions I guess which is how it should be. Rgds Duncan

I told Tim of his passing. This is all a bit awkward as this daughter is not one of his official daughters if you get my drift. I will ring Tim tonight for an update but there is a guy in Vancouver who is a Saints fan who was asked by Ron to take care of the funeral arrangements. He has told us he will go to Albuquerque over the weekend to get things sorted. His name is Alan Turner. He spoke to Ron frequently over the last two years. I have a nos for him and I will ring at the end of the weekend for a progress report.

When setting up the GITR website I contacted virtually every ex colleague of Rons from his time at the Dell and too a man they all really loved him as a person not to mention his ability on the pitch. It really was quite moving listening to them extol his many virtues. Of course he had a few vices; wine and women etc but who is perfect. I have heard so many great stories over the last few days it seems he really did mean a helluva lot to so many people of a certain age. I gather no relations have stepped forward yet to arrange a funeral, what a shame the fans could not give him a proper send off.

and you teach English to italians?