Jump to content

Memorial service for Markus

Block 5

By Block 5,
in The Saints

 Share

Recommended Posts

Block 5

Block 5

Posted
Posted

At St Mary's Church, Wednesday 18th August 11.30am.

 

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2123656,00.html

 

A memorial service to honour Markus Liebherr will take place at St. Mary's Church in Southampton on Wednesday 18th August, following his passing last week. Led by Reverend Julian Davies, the service of thanksgiving will start at 11.30am with admittance inside the church by invitation only.

 

The Club recognises that many fans will want to pay their respects. As such, the entire service will be broadcast into the grounds of the church over a public address system, fans are invited to congregate outside the church, with the site large enough to hold a large but limited number of supporters.

 

St. Mary's Church is seen as the ideal setting for the Club to pay its respects, being the location where St Mary's Young Men's Association FC was founded. 125 years later, Saints will be returning to the church to gather and remember a man who truly loved the Club.

 

Car parking will be available at St Mary's stadium for those fans wishing to pay their respects on the day. The stadium itself, along with the West Quay store, will be closed all day on Wednesday as a mark of respect.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jamyj2

Jamyj2

Posted
Posted
Appropriate. I'll be working unfortunately (carnival day down here in Weymouth, everywhere is gonna be manic) but I will be thinking of him when I hear the bell for half past 11.

 

Unfortunatly i'll be working that same carnival. Will make sure to keep him in my thoughts, and maybe wear my saints shirt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Master Bates

Master Bates

Posted
Posted

Those that are working, can't you try and get a couple of hours off? maybe work through your lunch tomorrow? Obviously those working far away probably wouldn't be able too.

 

I text 9 of my mates yesterday to see if they'll be going, out of the 9, 0 are going, even though half don't work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dellman

Dellman

Posted
Posted

I have to drive from Sherborne but I'll be there but I'm retired so its easy.Funerals are always a problem for working people so there may not be a huge crowd, everyone will have their chance Saturday, hope the ground will be full.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JustMike

JustMike

Posted
Posted
Do you think wearing a saints shirt would be Appropriate?

 

I'm guessing 75% of the people in attendance tomorrow will be in Saints Shirts. Saints shirts were also worn at Ted Bates (RIP).

 

I think Sir Markus Liebherr would appreciate Saints fans wearing their shirts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Michelle

Michelle

Posted
Posted

Wish I could get out of work for it, so short staffed at the moment it's insane, and hubby had just had ACL reconstruction so will be in no fit state either.

 

I've done what I can - left flowers at SMS that night, bought black away shirt with Liebherr printed, signed the book.

 

RIP Markus, thoughts will be with you, your family, friends and colleagues tomorrow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Disco

Disco

Posted
Posted
I'm guessing 75% of the people in attendance tomorrow will be in Saints Shirts. Saints shirts were also worn at Ted Bates (RIP).

 

I think Sir Markus Liebherr would appreciate Saints fans wearing their shirts.

 

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LA77

LA77

Posted
Posted
Watch story? Could you elaborate for those of us who weren't there? Thanks.

 

The club media consultant read out a tribute. Markus suggested to Nicola that he would buy a watch for him with every trophy and success the Saints achieved. Nicola said something along the lines of "buy two watches, one for me and one for you". Markus saw the watch he wanted to buy at the airport and had to order it. He then drove to Zurich and back to pick up the watches. He was ill when he drove there, and it worked out that he only bought one watch in the end, not two. He passed away shortly after. What a great man. R.I.P

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Saint_Mabes

Saint_Mabes

Posted
Posted
The club media consultant read out a tribute. Markus suggested to Nicola that he would buy a watch for him with every trophy and success the Saints achieved. Nicola said something along the lines of "buy two watches, one for me and one for you". Markus saw the watch he wanted to buy at the airport and had to order it. He then drove to Zurich and back to pick up the watches. He was ill when he drove there, and it worked out that he only bought one watch in the end, not two. He passed away shortly after. What a great man. R.I.P

 

That's a tear jerker. What a bloke.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Wes Tender

Wes Tender

Posted
Posted

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LA77

LA77

Posted
Posted
why did he only buy one?

 

I see it that the gift to his friend was important to him, despite him being in pain. And the fact he bought just one, instead of one for himself as well, showed how much he thought of others. I'm really pleased to have gone today, and we were so lucky to be owned by a lovely fella.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LA77

LA77

Posted
Posted
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.

 

Nice post Wes. Well put.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Wes Tender

Wes Tender

Posted
Posted
I see it that the gift to his friend was important to him, despite him being in pain. And the fact he bought just one, instead of one for himself as well, showed how much he thought of others. I'm really pleased to have gone today, and we were so lucky to be owned by a lovely fella.

 

I see it that Markus wished to give a gift to his dear friend. Cortese had insisted that they have a watch each for every milestone reached and that ML had agreed to humour him, possibly never intending to buy himself one. But this agreement was anyway apparently meant to be when the club was either promoted or won some silverware. So unless it was post-dated so that a watch was overdue for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, then nothing would have been due until much later in the season. So what had possessed Markus to buy the watch so far in advance? As I say, did he have some foreboding about his health?

 

The watch that he had seen at the airport was a brand new model and not on general sale. He had put in an order direct to the manufacturers and had collected it before the first match, but had been too ill to attend it. As it stands, it will be a lasting momento of Markus to his dear friend Cortese.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...