Fitzhugh Fella Posted 22 October, 2009 Share Posted 22 October, 2009 We had Bill Rawlings in the 20s, Ted Drake in the 30s, Charlie Wayman in the 40s, Terry Paine in the 50s, Mick Channon in the 70s, a whole coachload in the 80s and Le Tiss in the 90s. Spare a thought tonight however for 60s legend, Ron Davies whose partner, Chrissie has just passed away. She was a lovely lady who I sat next to at the Dell Diamond launch. It shows how modest Ron must have been because he never told her how revered he had been at the Dell and over the night she grew increasingly incredulous at the boisterous devotion and adulation that was given to Ron. The roaring ovation he got as he walked (or was that lurched) to the stage to deliver a speach on Ted brought tears to the eyes. Chrissie was open mouthed. She could not believe it as I explained Ron was our Joe D'Magio. She was thrilled to be part of it - she was so chuffed to bask in a little of his glory and when she found out he had once been voted the best looking football in the Football League 1967 by the Football League Review magazine her face was a pretty picture. It was suddenly a long way from a trailer in New Mexico As part of the GITR committee I know how much she worked on Ron's behalf and her loss will be massive to the big Welshman - I just hope he has the strength to overcome what must be a devastating loss. TT has done a great job out there in the States and has become emotionally involved (how can you not) and anyone who regarded Ron as their hero owes Tim a big thank you. "Ron is King" was sprayed on many a Southampton wall...but this week he has lost his Queen. My thoughts are with him over his premature loss. Hang on in there, lad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TijuanaTim Posted 22 October, 2009 Share Posted 22 October, 2009 Dunc, I will print and mail Ron your thoughts. He is obviously aware of you and your fine work. So thanks, thanks also for your articlate, as always thoughts and recollections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panda Posted 22 October, 2009 Share Posted 22 October, 2009 Gutted at the news. Thoughts are now for Ron. Please keep us informed on how he is coping and if there is anything we can do. Thanks. [PS guys, some of you have missed the point. We are VERY concerned about our 60's legend at not playing silly b*gg*rs trying to out smart each other on stupid nominations for the 00 legend - do that on another post if you want to.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 22 October, 2009 Share Posted 22 October, 2009 He really is going through the mill. For those that didn't know he was arguably the best attacking aerial threat in the world at that time. I hope he pulls through this, he gave me and thousands of others great pride in his goal scoring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redondo Saint Posted 22 October, 2009 Share Posted 22 October, 2009 Agreed. He will need a lot of support to keep him from getting too depressed and using the bottle for help... Let's hope his family can help too. Doesn't he have a daughter living close to Tim and me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Right sider Posted 22 October, 2009 Share Posted 22 October, 2009 As for the legend of the 00's, do we have one? Beattie? Niemi? killer? I don't think we have a defininative player who stands out. Lets look forward as well to the new legend of the 10's. I was too young to see Ron play but my dad is gushing in his praise for the big man. And that respect rubbed off on me so I pass on my regards to Ron, as a collective I think our thoughts are with him in these difficult times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaSaint Posted 22 October, 2009 Share Posted 22 October, 2009 If, before my lights go out, I were to draw up a list of the 100 people who have given me the most pleasure in life, he would be on it. We haven't had that many genuinely "world class" players in our 123 years of existence but he was most certainly one of them. And his class wasn't just confined to his footballing ability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TijuanaTim Posted 22 October, 2009 Share Posted 22 October, 2009 Agreed. He will need a lot of support to keep him from getting too depressed and using the bottle for help... Let's hope his family can help too. Doesn't he have a daughter living close to Tim and me? No one out here mate, just a friend or two in NM. I will be talking to him at least once a day for the forseeable future. Personally, I think Ron is past slipping into the 'bottle'. So, I'll keep up the communication as loneliness may become his worst enemy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Under Weststand Posted 22 October, 2009 Share Posted 22 October, 2009 Oh dear my deepest condolences to Ron, his & Chrissie's family. He has been through the mill this year, lets hope things improve for him from now on. Please let Ron know TT that his extended Saints family are thinking of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vince Posted 22 October, 2009 Share Posted 22 October, 2009 Ron, I never saw you play as I was brought up after your era, but I've always followed the heritage and history of my club (and the thought of going out of existence this summer has made that bond stronger), so my thoughts are with you and yours today. Legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belgiansaint Posted 23 October, 2009 Share Posted 23 October, 2009 Ron, I never saw you play as I was brought up after your era, but I've always followed the heritage and history of my club (and the thought of going out of existence this summer has made that bond stronger), so my thoughts are with you and yours today. Legend. ditto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW11_Saint Posted 23 October, 2009 Share Posted 23 October, 2009 How sad. Our thoughts are with you Ron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted 23 October, 2009 Share Posted 23 October, 2009 Ron, I never saw you play as I was brought up after your era, but I've always followed the heritage and history of my club (and the thought of going out of existence this summer has made that bond stronger), so my thoughts are with you and yours today. Legend. Same as me. Take care Big Ron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 23 October, 2009 Share Posted 23 October, 2009 Ron, I never saw you play as I was brought up after your era, but I've always followed the heritage and history of my club (and the thought of going out of existence this summer has made that bond stronger), so my thoughts are with you and yours today. Legend. Ditto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristolsaint29 Posted 23 October, 2009 Share Posted 23 October, 2009 Ron, I never saw you play as I was brought up after your era, but I've always followed the heritage and history of my club (and the thought of going out of existence this summer has made that bond stronger), so my thoughts are with you and yours today. Legend. Spot on, From the younger Saints generation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 23 October, 2009 Share Posted 23 October, 2009 Its the compassion and active support for those legends from fans at this club that makes me proud to be a supporter of our great club - its what makes us who we are as a club and to represents the true spirit of Saints. Tim, Duncs and all those involved in GITR deserve our support. To Ron, I think it goes without saying that our hearts go aout to you during this sad time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkie Posted 23 October, 2009 Share Posted 23 October, 2009 Apart from the legend on the pitch - my lasting memory of big Ron was a walk to his house in Shirley to get his autograph...in Perrie Close. It seems years ago...but as clear as a bell I can remember walking up his path and ringing the front doorbell, and a lovely lady coming to the door. We weren't even sure it was the right house..."Does Ron Davies live here?" - she turned and called up the stairs "Ron, it's for you!" Very fond memories of those days...he was truly a superstar in those days, but lived in a semi (I think) in Shirley. All these years on, I can appreciate your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adelfas31 Posted 23 October, 2009 Share Posted 23 October, 2009 I saw him play once. I was 11, on a school trip from Northern Ireland to see Man U v Saints at old Trafford in 1972. I wasn't a Saints fan - I had no reason to be. I wasn't a Man U fan either. I'd never been to a game before. It was just a great occasion for a kid brought up without any 'proper' football to attend and without a club to support. If memory serves me right, Kidd, Charlton & Best (pen) scored for Man U before half time, all down our end. Ron then scored 2 for Saints second half and left a bigger impression with me than Best, Charlton or any of the better known (to me) players. Little did I know at the time I'd come to live in the Southampton area and become a Saint. Now I'm so pleased I had this early connection to Saints and had the chance to see a legend to many of my now fellow supporters, if only once. Tiny memory, and insignificant compared to that of Saints fans of the time, but special to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK the 2nd Posted 23 October, 2009 Share Posted 23 October, 2009 Ron was a hero to me as a schoolboy and definitely lives up to the title of "legend" (too loosely used these days but not in this case). I really feel for the big man and Fitzhugh Fella's mail brought a tear to my eye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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