RIP Malc Ross (Philly Saint)

[Saint Jamie]

East Chapel

[Rut]

The Echo has done a piece on Malc:

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/14218582.Tributes_to_well_known_fan_who_died_wearing_his_Saints_shirt/

(sorry for linking to a site that bans ad-blockers - if this affects you just go into incognito mode to view it)

 

Here are a couple more pics:

 

1/ A rare one of his 'unique' tattoo. It was done yonks ago and the bloke doing it forgot to put the 'FC' on there - so added it underneath. Quality. Pic taken in Dublin 2002. Not sure who the other mush is. Think he may have been from Bristol.

 

 

 

2/ Paris Airport Sat 10 Oct 2003. On the way to Bucharest. Missed the connecting flight so had about 10 hours to kill.

 

We got to know the others in this pic as the 'Matty Mob'. There were actually 6 of them and 3 or 4 of them were called Matt. Anyone know of any them? When they went out drinking they'd have a captains armband. You took it in turns to wear it. The captain would decide when to drink up and what the next pub was. Very organised stuff. One night Malc went out with them and they let him wear the armband. Apparently he managed to take them to the worst pub of the night. They banned him from wearing it ever again.

 

 

Here is another one with the 'Matty Mob'. Taken in the Dubliner Bar in Bucharest. Probably at opening time. For anyone who made a holiday of the trip to play Steaua then I'm sure you went in there at some point. This is a Street View of where it is:

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4522255,26.0771578,3a,75y,307.92h,77.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1srkghnW5MwjSH1rz4eR8-Lg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

 

 

 

 

Anyway - good memories.

[ladysaint]

Posting this on behalf of Herbie Taylor.

 

This is a bit long but I thought those who knew Malc and were unable to attend this service would appreciate a 'fans eye view' of proceedings. I did not take notes so may have missed something. Herbie

 

"I attended Malcolm Ross’s Funeral Service this morning on what was a very wet and windy day. The drive in for me on the M27 was not good. Despite the weather there was a very good turn out for the service - which was held in the East Chapel of the Southampton Crematorium - the larger of the two Chapels, it was full.

 

The entrance music when the coffin was brought in, (carried by his sons and other male members of the family) was a lovely slow version of “When the Saints Go Marching In” recorded by Bruce Springsteen. Following the coffin were Malcolm’s daughters all looking smart and dignified on what must have been a very difficult occasion for them. Dad would have been so proud.

 

A lady who I presume was a professional Celebrant, conducted the service. After welcoming everyone, she went on to read a few stories about Malcolm as she set the scene for the family to come forward to pay their own personal tributes. First up was Jamie, he spoke lovingly of his Dad and recalled the good times, especially when he went with Malcolm to football matches. He also said how proud he was of his Dad and how he had inspired him to make something of himself and achieve a good education. Next up were Malcolm’s twin daughters, Dani and Livvi - the order of service entitled their tribute as, 'Daddy’s Little Girls' - obviously the apple of his eye. They stood side by side as they each told of the love and pride they had in their Dad and how much they loved him, both told stories about their childhood and growing up years. As the tears welled up they both remained brave and put their arms around each other to help each other through what was an ordeal. Remember, they were talking to a packed congregation and emotions were running high. Well done Dani and Livvi. There was then a pause in the service as the David Bowie classic ‘Changes’ was played, during which those of us gathered were invited to reflect on our own memories of Malcolm.

 

Next up were Malcolm’s two sisters, Carol and Helen. They also stood side by side and told of childhood memories, including some stories about their brothers mischievous antics and also about his eye for the ladies as he grew up! Then Malc’s brother Steve came forward to read a tribute from the best man at Malc’s wedding, Andy Gorman. This as you would expect included some funny anecdotes from the time when he and Malc were enjoying their youth with long week-end exploits, mixing drinking time with chasing the ladies, although it did sound as though Malc did not need to do much of the chasing!

 

Then there was an interlude when the congregated family and friends were invited to stand to sing the ‘football fans hymn ’Abide With Me'.

 

This was followed by Steve Humphries, a friend of the family wearing a red and white Saints scarf,who read out a list of tributes he had obtained from some of the ex Saints players that he had contacted.These included short tributes from; David Peach, Hughie Fisher, Francis Benali, Mick Channon and Terry Paine. Southampton FC’s Head of Supporters Services also sent a short tribute as well as signed photo's of Jose Fonte, James Ward-Prowse, and manager Ronald Koeman.

 

The service then closed with a ‘Farewell' and closing thoughts from the Celebrant. The five offspring then stood and walked slowly towards the coffin to place a single flower each among the red and white floral tributes on top of the coffin. A poignant moment to finish off a well planned service that contained reverence and humour in equal measure. It was a fitting farewell to a great Saints fan and obviously a caring, loving, Dad and brother.

 

I did not go up to the Winchester for the reception to which all were invited, but I did manage to have a quick word with Jamie and Dani who I knew from the time they came on a stadium tour. I told them that Dad would have been so proud of them.

 

Herbie

[Ohio Saint]

Never meeting this guy was clearly an honour missed.

[Norm]

Well done Herbie (a lovely man!) for the report and Ladysaint for posting it.

[sadoldgit]

Well done Herbie (a lovely man!) for the report and Ladysaint for posting it.

 

Absolutely!