Memorial service for Markus

[solentstars]

Relax and don't jump on bandwagons that you have no first hand knowledge of. There was no disrespect shown by any of the team and certainly no BBB - whatever that is. It was a good service and respect shown all round - except by those that left mobile phones on to ring during service readings.

 

i agree and i have worn jeans at a funerals ,its not a lack of respect how people dress but what they feel for the person who died.today is about markhus liebherr not nit picking about other matters.

r.i.p to markhus a giant of a man

[alpine_saint]

i agree and i have worn jeans at a funerals ,its not a lack of respect how people dress but what they feel for the person who died.today is about markhus liebherr not nit picking about other matters.

r.i.p to markhus a giant of a man

 

Yes it is, but I cannot be bothered labouring the point today.

 

Someone else can have the last word.

Edited 18 August, 2010 by alpine_saint

[ART]

Reading that he turned up in jeans and a shirt may suggest he got a bo ll oc k ing for turning up so dressed. It also states he had his hands in his pockets after the service as he was leaving down the aisle. And yes many footballers stand with hands in pockets. It's also very common in the States, even amoung very educated people to have one's hands in pockets. Some schools used to make boys put their hands in their pockets when talking to an adult to show they weren't a threat. Many Chinese cover their mouths when they talk as a sign of respect.

 

Odd you may say, but I left Britain and educated myself and didn't spend my entire life arguing about two flies on the wall, or till the cows come home about simple unimportant things.

[Nutwood2]

A very simple and moving service and very thought provoking standing outside in the sunshine listening to the tributes and stories of such a humble man. Wes's summary is excellent and looking around at the bowed heads as the story of the watches was being read out really summed it up. The sight of all the invited guests walking slowly together back to St Mary's was also quite special. Thanks a million again, Markus.

[alpine_saint]

Reading that he turned up in jeans and a shirt may suggest he got a bo ll oc k ing for turning up so dressed. It also states he had his hands in his pockets after the service as he was leaving down the aisle. And yes many footballers stand with hands in pockets. It's also very common in the States, even amoung very educated people to have one's hands in pockets. Some schools used to make boys put their hands in their pockets when talking to an adult to show they weren't a threat. Many Chinese cover their mouths when they talk as a sign of respect.

 

Odd you may say, but I left Britain and educated myself and didn't spend my entire life arguing about two flies on the wall, or till the cows come home about simple unimportant things.

 

And what useful stuff you learned, along with to ability to sound a bit pompous and self-satisfied...

[cadiz saint]

Yes it is, but I cannot be bothered labouring the point today.

 

Someone else can have the last word.

 

You don't seem to want someone else to have the last word !!

[Legod Third Coming]

Just got back. I had arrived half an hour before the service was due to commence and was lucky to be amongst the first allowed to enter the church to fill space available at the rear. I also managed to be given one of the printed booklets with the order of service and will keep it as a souvenir and reminder of the day. As mentioned already by another attendee, it was a very moving service

 

As well as Alan Pardew, all of the players, the senior team and the younger Academy players, there were a few of the old Saints players there too. Also the Lady Mayor of Southampton.

 

There was a reading by Herbie Taylor, the Football League fan of the year. Also a tribute by Coucillor Royston Smith, the leader of the Souhampton City Council, who said what the club meant to the City and what a massive part Markus Liebherr had played in the fortunes of the Club.

 

Jake Flannigan an under 15s Academy player read a poem entitled "Success". He was fluent and accomplished, a credit to the youngsters involved with the Club.

 

Another tribute came from David Bick, the Club Media Consultant, his voice reminding me very much of Michael Caine's. He divulged some very interest background to the relationship between Markus and Cortese, the anecdote about the Swiss watches that they would give to each other when we were promoted at the end of the season, but which Markus had obtained especially from the makers to give to Cortese the Saturday before he died. Did he have some foreboding? He also gave us an insight into Markus' family and his partner Laura.

 

The Rector of Southampton had also given a very moving address detailing the origins of the Club at that Church and stating that Markus was its saviour during its darkest hour since its founding. He pointed out that the halo above Christ's head on the stained glass windows behind the altar was coloured red and white matching the team's colours.

 

In front of the steps to the raised area where the pews for the choir were, visible to the congregation, was a framed picture of Markus. It was I believe the one we would all know and love, him wearing his scarf and waving his arm in salute to the fans at the first match after he bought us.

 

I am glad that I took the time to attand the service. It was a very emotional and moving experience, but I felt indebted to him for bringing happiness to my life, although only having known of him for such a short time.

 

The only blots in the service were the two mobile phones that rang in the church which should have been switched off and the player who walked down the aisle after the service disrespectfully ambling along with his hands in his pockets.

 

A very moving and eloquent piece, thank you friend.

[JibMcdo]

Body language meaning

Hands in pockets: Dejection, feeling that the world is about to end

 

Therefore Puncheon unconsciously may have been showing just how bad he felt.

 

I personally put my hands in my pockets because I don't know what else to do with my hands when standing about, not that I feel the world might end...

 

Glad to hear the service went well. RIP.

[saint_bert]

Sounds like a fitting tribute to a truely deserving human being.

 

Thank you Wes for a great post.

 

And thank you Markus for everything.

 

Taken too soon, your spirit will live on through us, the Saints fans forever

 

RIP

[Dimond Geezer]

Is it just this forum, or are they all the same?

 

What started out as a respectful thread, about a man, unknown to most, but respected and fondly remembered by all, has deteriorated into a slanging match and a debate as to whether or not is disrectful to dress in a certain manner.

 

Maybe those that wish to debate the rights & wrongs of wearing jeans, having hands in your pockets & the armchair shrinks who wish to pontificate on the psychological aspects of this course of behaviour, should move it to The Lounge.

 

Thanks to those who attended for the write-ups.

[LA77]

Please, for one day, and especially this thread, can the petty insults, points scoring and nit picking be put on hold.

[itchen_dan]

Article of the Memorial here.

 

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2126725,00.html

 

Sounds like it was a perfect service for such a great man.

[Under Weststand]

Thanks to Wes & all others for their reports of the service for those that couldn't attend. Sounds like a very moving service for a big man that touched our community in such a profound manner in so short a time. Once again RIP Marcus & thank you!

[rallyboy]

Glad I went, Markus was there for us, we were there for him - a great service, idiotic phone owners aside, and nice story about the single watch.

 

And if you want to see the order of service there's a shot of one on the Echo site - that's me holding it.

[itchen_dan]

2 of the speeches:

 

A Tribute To Markus - Royston Smith

 

A Tribute To Markus - David Bick

 

The Watch Story by David Bick

 

“To Markus, that trust with his closest friend was all important and absolute. So, if I may, to my second and final story, and I am very grateful to Markus’s partner, Lore, and to Nicola for their kind permission to enable me to tell you this story.

 

It concerns a watch – of course, it’s Switzerland, it’s bound to concern a watch. It concerns a watch, or at least at the beginning of the story two watches. I think this story tells you about Markus as a thoughtful man. I believe it tells you Markus knew a lot more about himself than he was letting on.

 

A few weeks after the Wembley final, Markus and Nicola were having one of their constant discussions about the further progress and development of the club. Markus was convinced that this season the Saints would gain promotion, if not actually win the League One title. Markus said to Nicola, ‘Starting this season I will buy you a special new watch every time we win a trophy, or a title, or gain promotion.’ Nicola said ‘That’s fine Markus, but every time you must also buy the very same watch for yourself, so that we can both wear the watch commemorating every success.’ Markus readily agreed with this.

 

Then, more recently, Markus spent a few days with Nicola’s family on holiday. He said he was going to physically go to buy the first two watches in the very near future. Nicola replied ‘Really, there’s no rush Markus, there’s a long season ahead.’ Then, nearly two weeks ago Markus flew into England for his first league match of the season.

 

At this point he had not been well. In the event, Markus was not well enough to actually attend the game. But he still managed to attend Nicola’s birthday party that evening, Saturday, August 7.

 

Markus said to Nicola ‘I wanted to show you, in person, the book containing a description of the model of watch I want to buy for you and for me.’ Yet again, Nicola said to him ‘There is no rush.’

 

As Markus was leaving that Sunday for Switzerland, Markus opened the car door so that he could show Nicola a photograph he had taken of the watch being advertised on an airport posterboard. Markus had only days earlier walked painfully across from one side of Zurich Airport to the other to buy the watch. Because the model of the watch was so new, he was told at the airport shop that it was only available from headquarters. Markus immediately phoned through an order for the watch, for his collection later from a shop in the centre of Zurich.

 

That Sunday, after the first match of the season, was to be the last time Markus and Nicola saw or spoke to each other. On the Monday, despite Lore's plea for him not to travel alone, he drove himself from his main home the 80 miles to his apartment in Zurich. From there, he took himself to the shop to buy the new model of watch that he had reserved some days earlier.

 

He returned to the apartment and spoke to Lore and said simply ‘I have got the watch, I have got the watch for Nicola.’ “He passed away just a little later that evening.

 

It turned out that he had only bought a single watch. It seems that he never intended to buy one of the watches for himself.

 

To Markus, it was so, so important that he got the watch for Nicola, even though it seemed at the time that he could have waited for nine months. Why did Markus not buy that watch for himself, why did he not buy the two watches as they had agreed?

 

Only Markus knows the full answer to that one, but I’m sure we can all reach our own conclusions.

 

It was a mark of this delightful man that he was pre-occupied with doing thoughtful acts for others, especially his dearest friend Nicola, even while he was suffering pain and discomfort."

 

What a Man!

Edited 18 August, 2010 by itchen_dan
Added the story

[Master Bates]

Is it just this forum, or are they all the same?

 

Most are the same nowadays, even 606 and the Echo.

 

Some comments (at he bottom) have been deleted: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/8337888.Hundreds_turn_out_for_Markus__memorial/

[CB Fry]

Great thread. Thanks for the "match report" Wes Tender. Tributes read well on the Echo site too. What a guy!

[once_bitterne]

After reading the very moving watch story it is clear to see just how close NC was to Markus and given what he did in saving the club I really do feel that we should forget any past petty arguements about 'bad communication', lack of payment plans,etc and unite as one behind Nicola. There is no doubt at all that this is what Markus would have wanted.

[dubai_phil]

2 of the speeches:

 

A Tribute To Markus - Royston Smith

 

A Tribute To Markus - David Bick

 

The Watch Story by David Bick

 

 

 

What a Man!

 

Thanks for taking the time to post that out in full.

[JRM]

After reading the very moving watch story it is clear to see just how close NC was to Markus and given what he did in saving the club I really do feel that we should forget any past petty arguements about 'bad communication', lack of payment plans,etc and unite as one behind Nicola. There is no doubt at all that this is what Markus would have wanted.

 

we should be united in wanting success and gettng behind the team, but if a decision is made that you disagree with there is nothing wrong with saying that and voicing your opposition.

 

sounds like a good service today, but in someways the real memorial is still to come on saturday with 30k + saints fans packed into st marys for the minutes silence

[Stattmeister]

That watch story has just completely choked me in the office, how tragic.... what a loss - not just to Saints, the city, but to everyone who knew him... Cortese comes across as a ruthless business man, but my word, he seems to have been a terrifc friend to St Markus and touched him dearly.

 

Thanks all for the details of today Wes et al, I too couldn't make it, but have been constantly distracted by it. If ever we needed an incentive for success, we have one. We owe it now to the Liebherr family to show Markus was right, and we were worthy of his albeit short tenureship.

 

Let's win it for Markus.

[Leicestersaint]

Very moving.

[hoozonside10]

2 of the speeches:

 

A Tribute To Markus - Royston Smith

 

A Tribute To Markus - David Bick

 

The Watch Story by David Bick

 

 

 

What a Man!

 

That is a truly inspiring speech!

 

Well, if he didn't know it before, AP certainly knows that nothing less than automatic promotion will be acceptable this season for that story alone! Cortese will not settle for anything less and the slightest hint of not being in the top two will mean swift action to rectify the situation

[DrZuess1979 the 2nd]

Thank You Wes

 

In NC we trust

[dellgirl]

There is a very interesting obituary in the Telegraph today which tells much of the history of the the family and that Markus had made plans for the Club during his last illness. Could someone clever out there reproduce it on this sad but uplifting day ?

[Katalinic]

There is a very interesting obituary in the Telegraph today which tells much of the history of the the family and that Markus had made plans for the Club during his last illness. Could someone clever out there reproduce it on this sad but uplifting day ?

 

Good spot dellgirl. Article here:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/sport-obituaries/7950756/Markus-Liebherr.html

[Weston Saint]

There is a very interesting obituary in the Telegraph today which tells much of the history of the the family and that Markus had made plans for the Club during his last illness. Could someone clever out there reproduce it on this sad but uplifting day ?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/sport-obituaries/7950756/Markus-Liebherr.html

[Deppo]

EDIT: someone's posted the link.

[S-Clarke]

That watch story really is heart-wrenching.

 

I'm not really looking at this as if the club has lost it's owner, more so the world has lost one heck of a man.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Very fitting today......prepare for chills

 

[Saints foreva]

Sounds like today was a very fitting tribute for the great man.

 

Now lets give him the send off he deserves vs Orient, WIFM!

[itchen]

...

 

As well as Alan Pardew, all of the players, the senior team and the younger Academy players, there were a few of the old Saints players there too. Also the Lady Mayor of Southampton.

 

There was a reading by Herbie Taylor, the Football League fan of the year. Also a tribute by Coucillor Royston Smith, the leader of the Souhampton City Council, who said what the club meant to the City and what a massive part Markus Liebherr had played in the fortunes of the Club.

 

 

Thanks for the account.

 

The Mayor of Southampton is Councillor Carol Cunio who has been a Saints season-ticket holder for many years. I'm sure she would have been there even if she wasn't this year's mayor.

[scott_saints]

Was Cortese there? Only seen the team and AP mentioned.

[CanadaSaint]

Lest anybody think that, somewhere along the way, we forgot how to be a family club, take a read through this thread and the Markus tribute thread.

 

The family soul of our club is very much alive and well.

 

Thanks to everyone who has contributed, however modest or major their contribution, for making me feel so proud of my club again.

 

But, above all, thanks to Markus for rekindling that flame.

[JustMike]

Thank You Wes

 

In NC we trust

 

yep, good enough for Markus, good enough for me.

[landford.saint]

Was there today as well with Mrs LS and Wes summary spot on. Agreed was a lovely service, special mention to the academy player who read poem very clearly, must have been very nerve wracking in the circumstances. After service was stood outside with others when David Bick (the media chap) approached and thanked me for coming. Never met him before, but it was a nice touch and I take it, that is to all those who attended.

[shurlock]

Must be a really tough time for Nicola C at the moment - from the memorial's transcript it is obvious that he has lost a dear friend and comrade-in-arms. His head must be swimming at the moment and must have some pretty mixed feelings about what he's doing and where he's going. Cant be easy to come into work every day and know that part of what made things so meaningful, the spirit and adventure he shared with Markus, is gone. Do feel real sympathy for the guy - quite apart from the fact that he is now the critical link to our future.

[NickG]

So, if I may, to my second and final story, and I am very grateful to Markus’s partner, Lore, and to Nicola for their kind permission to enable me to tell you this story.

 

“It concerns a watch – of course, it’s Switzerland, it’s bound to concern a watch. It concerns a watch, or at least at the beginning of the story two watches.

 

“I think this story tells you about Markus as a thoughtful man. I believe it tells you Markus knew a lot more about himself than he was letting on.

 

“A few weeks after the Wembley final, Markus and Nicola were having one of their constant discussions about the further progress and development of the club.

 

“Markus was convinced that this season the Saints would gain promotion, if not actually win the League One title.

 

“Markus said to Nicola, ‘Starting this season I will buy you a special new watch every time we win a trophy, or a title, or gain promotion.’

 

“Nicola said ‘That’s fine Markus, but every time you must also buy the very same watch for yourself, so that we can both wear the watch commemorating every success.’ Markus readily agreed with this.

 

“Then, more recently, Markus spent a few days with Nicola’s family on holiday. He said he was going to physically go to buy the first two watches in the very near future.

 

“Nicola replied ‘Really, there’s no rush Markus, there’s a long season ahead.’ Then, nearly two weeks ago Markus flew into England for his first league match of the season.

 

“At this point he had not been well. In the event, Markus was not well enough to actually attend the game. But he still managed to attend Nicola’s birthday party that evening, Saturday, August 7.

 

“Markus said to Nicola ‘I wanted to show you, in person, the book containing a description of the model of watch I want to buy for you and for me.’

 

“Yet again, Nicola said to him ‘There is no rush.’

 

“As Markus was leaving that Sunday for Switzerland, Markus opened the car door so that he could show Nicola a photograph he had taken of the watch being advertised on an airport posterboard.

 

“Markus had only days earlier walked painfully across from one side of Zurich Airport to the other to buy the watch.

 

“Because the model of the watch was so new, he was told at the airport shop that it was only available from headquarters.

 

“Markus immediately phoned through an order for the watch, for his collection later from a shop in the centre of Zurich.

 

“That Sunday, after the first match of the season, was to be the last time Markus and Nicola saw or spoke to each other.

 

“On the Monday, despite Lore's plea for him not to travel alone, he drove himself from his main home the 80 miles to his apartment in Zurich.

 

“From there, he took himself to the shop to buy the new model of watch that he had reserved some days earlier.

 

“He returned to the apartment and spoke to Lore and said simply ‘I have got the watch, I have got the watch for Nicola.’ “He passed away just a little later that evening.

 

“It turned out that he had only bought a single watch. It seems that he never intended to buy one of the watches for himself.

 

“To Markus, it was so, so important that he got the watch for Nicola, even though it seemed at the time that he could have waited for nine months.

 

“Why did Markus not buy that watch for himself, why did he not buy the two watches as they had agreed?

 

“Only Markus knows the full answer to that one, but I’m sure we can all reach our own conclusions.

 

“It was a mark of this delightful man that he was pre-occupied with doing thoughtful acts for others, especially his dearest friend Nicola, even while he was suffering pain and discomfort.

[Matthew Le God]

My attempt at a tribute video...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrO061mzNlQ

[nickfinks]

Glory glory for Markus Liebherr

Glory glory for Markus Liebherr

Glory glory for Markus Liebherr

And the Saints must go marching on....

[Windmill Arm 2]

How typical of the forum knobbers to start a campaign aimed at one of our best players because he had his hands in his pockets at a fkin funeral, this forum really has gone down the bog. Get a life you pathetic people, people grieve in different ways so fkin what?? and having your hands in your pockets at a funeral is certainly not a sign of disrespect. However, the bulls*** typed on here about a man (who bothered to show an apperance) IS disrespectful. Anyone chopsing off on here about Jason Puncheon having his hands in his pockets at a funeral is MENTAL.

[alpine_saint]

2 of the speeches:

 

A Tribute To Markus - Royston Smith

 

A Tribute To Markus - David Bick

 

The Watch Story by David Bick

 

 

 

What a Man!

 

I dont know what to say. I wish I had a friendship like this.

 

I reckon whats good enough for Markus, is good enough for me. I trust NC to do the biz.

[Barry the Badger]

My attempt at a tribute video...

 

 

 

Great work MLG, that's a terrific tribute. Poignant and really well put together.

 

May I ask what software you used to create it?

[Windmill Arm 2]

What a w*nker

At last, some self criticism from Alpine Saint.

[harwellsaint]

How typical of the forum knobbers to start a campaign aimed at one of our best players because he had his hands in his pockets at a fkin funeral, this forum really has gone down the bog. Get a life you pathetic people, people grieve in different ways so fkin what?? and having your hands in your pockets at a funeral is certainly not a sign of disrespect. However, the bulls*** typed on here about a man (who bothered to show an apperance) IS disrespectful. Anyone chopsing off on here about Jason Puncheon having his hands in his pockets at a funeral is MENTAL.

 

well said

[NickG]

was it covered on local tv news?

[S-Clarke]

My attempt at a tribute video...

 

 

Very, very good.

[alpine_saint]

How typical of the forum knobbers to start a campaign aimed at one of our best players because he had his hands in his pockets at a fkin funeral, this forum really has gone down the bog. Get a life you pathetic people, people grieve in different ways so fkin what?? and having your hands in your pockets at a funeral is certainly not a sign of disrespect. However, the bulls*** typed on here about a man (who bothered to show an apperance) IS disrespectful. Anyone chopsing off on here about Jason Puncheon having his hands in his pockets at a funeral is MENTAL.

 

Personally more concerned about him turning up dressed like a bum, to be honest...

[aintforever]

Who gives a **** what clothes people were wearing.

 

This place is full of weirdos.

[alpine_saint]

Who gives a **** what clothes people were wearing.

 

Reckon it demonstrates the level of respect and consideration that player has.

 

And he aint even that good.