The Watch story

[NickG]

think it deserves a thread

 

 

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.

[shurlock]

Even better than the watch story in Pulp Fiction.

[Pilchards]

That's one of the most amazing stories I have read, I can't believe he has gone now but it shows you the bond Cortese and Marcus had.

 

WIFM

[Arizona]

Interesting story. Reminds me of an old joke which can be modified for this scenario...

 

Markus arrives at the Pearly Gates after passing away and is greeted by Saint Peter, who says, "Welcome Markus! You're just in time for the Saints all star heaven match." He gives Markus a copy of the team sheet, who looks at it and reads some of the names, 'Manager Ted Bates... Peter Osgood... Alan Ball... Steve Mills... Matt Le Tissier... Bobby Stokes'. Markus pauses for a second and says, "Hang on a second, Matt Le Tissier isn't dead." St Peter rolls his eyes and says, "Yeah I know. That's just God, but he likes to call himself Matt Le Tissier."

[dubai_phil]

It is a wonderful story, but for me it has opened up a whole new set of sadness and questions.

 

I interpret this as Marcus seemed to know deep down. That makes it more poignant, meaningful and so much sadder. And yet it also begs the questions What, how and why?

 

IF he knew, what a way to spend your last hours. Was he alone? I find these more heartbreaking and amazing and the same time.

 

Not one of us posters have filled ourselves with much glory this past week, I don't think any one of us truly grasped what had transpired and what a man he was

[sperm_john]

such a good story, thanks for posting

[SO16_Saint]

this is a truly sad, and yet an unbelievably humbling story.

 

what a truly great, kind gentle man he was - is.

 

Has it actually been disclosed from what he died from?

[sadoldgit]

Read that at work on the Echo page and it brought a tear to my eye. So sad that he was unable to see the job through and buy more watches!

[SuperMikey]

Very moving story, just goes to show what a kind man Markus was and how lucky we were to have him. Spending your last hours buying a special gift for one of your dearest friends is so honourable and generous, Markus will be sorely missed.

 

WIFM + RIP

[Dalek2003]

What a great man Markus is.

 

I hope we do him proud this season, and I mean the whole club.

[sadoldgit]

Another sad point - we have learned more about Markus the man since he passed then we ever knew when he was here.

[NickG]

if the family keep the club maybe they should add a watch to the trophy cabinet when appropriate.

[bigchrisy]

Very touching story.

[DrZuess1979 the 2nd]

Just goes to show what he thought of Nicola Cortese, and how close the two were/are.

[alpine_saint]

Another sad point - we have learned more about Markus the man since he passed then we ever knew when he was here.

 

I hope you have mellowed out about NC now.

 

I for one trust Markus's judgement of character.

[BadgerBadger]

Poignant story told very well - I hope we can give Markus a good send off on Saturday, will be moving day for me!

[sadoldgit]

I hope you have mellowed out about NC now.

 

I for one trust Markus's judgement of character.

 

Not really Alps. I know plenty of people who are total nightmares and forge deep relationships with quite, kind people. Ask yourself this, had Nicola passed away instead of Markus do you think it would have been felt so keenly? It was nice that they were close. I expect people were close to Rupert too!

[Legod Third Coming]

Another sad point - we have learned more about Markus the man since he passed then we ever knew when he was here.

 

If I could beg each and every one of you to do one thing. It is to get to know the people you love while they are alive.

[modern matron]

Not really Alps. I know plenty of people who are total nightmares and forge deep relationships with quite, kind people. Ask yourself this, had Nicola passed away instead of Markus do you think it would have been felt so keenly? It was nice that they were close. I expect people were close to Rupert too!

 

Strange response, I would have been equally upset if this had happened to Nicola Cortese. Don't believe everything you read on this forum...

[sadoldgit]

Another thing Alps, do you think that they will be telling stories like that when Mr Cortese passes about him?

 

Legod, good point. Time is shorter than we think.

[sadoldgit]

Strange response, I would have been equally upset if this had happened to Nicola Cortese. Don't believe everything you read on this forum...

 

Interesting. I wonder if many people feel the same? I would have been shocked but I don't get the same vibe about him than I did about Markus. Same with Ted Bates. There is something about them both that makes you think of your favourite uncle. I can think of many things that Mr Cortese makes me think of, none of them avuncular.

[saintscottofthenortham]

Not really Alps. I know plenty of people who are total nightmares and forge deep relationships with quite, kind people. Ask yourself this, had Nicola passed away instead of Markus do you think it would have been felt so keenly? It was nice that they were close. I expect people were close to Rupert too!

 

I don't.

 

A very moving story, brought a tear to the eye. The whole of Bick's tribute was a very humbling speech. Just goes to show that there was a real friendship there, not just business. Good to know the family are in town. I truly hope we can do them proud on saturday. It will be emotional.

[sadoldgit]

I don't.

 

A very moving story, brought a tear to the eye. The whole of Bick's tribute was a very humbling speech. Just goes to show that there was a real friendship there, not just business. Good to know the family are in town. I truly hope we can do them proud on saturday. It will be emotional.

 

So you don't think that he has friends and family who care for him? Most odd. Just because you don't like someone doesn't mean to say others don't.

[Noodles34]

So you don't think that he has friends and family who care for him? Most odd. Just because you don't like someone doesn't mean to say others don't.

 

oh look, here we go again, leading up to the same old people get involved in the same old slanging matches, on a thread like this, Jesus, what a bunch of no hopers most of you Full timers are!

[Noodles34]

It is a wonderful story, but for me it has opened up a whole new set of sadness and questions.

 

I interpret this as Marcus seemed to know deep down. That makes it more poignant, meaningful and so much sadder. And yet it also begs the questions What, how and why?

 

IF he knew, what a way to spend your last hours. Was he alone? I find these more heartbreaking and amazing and the same time.

 

Not one of us posters have filled ourselves with much glory this past week, I don't think any one of us truly grasped what had transpired and what a man he was

 

Speak for yourself, and anyone else for that matter, except me, in reference to ML anyway!

[alpine_saint]

Not really Alps. I know plenty of people who are total nightmares and forge deep relationships with quite, kind people. Ask yourself this, had Nicola passed away instead of Markus do you think it would have been felt so keenly? It was nice that they were close. I expect people were close to Rupert too!

 

You really cant let him go, can you ?

[alpine_saint]

I don't.

 

A very moving story, brought a tear to the eye. The whole of Bick's tribute was a very humbling speech. Just goes to show that there was a real friendship there, not just business. Good to know the family are in town. I truly hope we can do them proud on saturday. It will be emotional.

 

Are they staying for the match? Have you heard this somewhere ?

[alpine_saint]

Not one of us posters have filled ourselves with much glory this past week, I don't think any one of us truly grasped what had transpired and what a man he was

 

I think most people do realise how lucky we were that such a fantastic person showed and interest in our club.

 

I just think this site and its forerunners has led to the development of such entrenched positions that nothing will ever stop the grudges.

[NickG]

think it deserves a thread

 

 

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.

 

...

[modern matron]

think it deserves a thread

 

 

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.

 

That is just beautiful. What a man!

[Under Weststand]

A truly moving story about a true gent, thinking of others at a time when he probably new what was happening to himself. One of his last acts was a selfless act for one of his best friends.

Just shows how much his family will miss him, they must be devastated, my heart goes out to them.

[Deppo]

If I could beg each and every one of you to do one thing. It is to get to know the people you love while they are alive.

 

Thank you. I will now.

[Andy Durman]

think it deserves a thread

 

 

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.

 

Thank you so much for this thread and share such a lovely story with us all

[MarkSFC]

What an incredible story and what an incredible man Markus Leibherr truely was.

 

I think we are possibly the luckiest club in the world to have him and his family as our owners............everything about the man and this last few days brings total humilty to our lives....

[Sevvy]

NickG.

 

Cheers for putting this on the forum, perhaps it should go into the match programme as well for the fans who dont get on here to read what a gent Markus was..

[sadoldgit]

You really cant let him go, can you ?

 

Can't let what go? Oh, you mean that some people are ok so we can treat them with an element of humanity and respect but others aren't so they aren't given the basic element of humanity or respect?

 

Tell me, because you hated Lowe with a passion do you think that nobody cares fo him? Really, it is such b*llox.

[S-Clarke]

**

 

Do we really need this on this thread? No.

[hypochondriac]

Do we really need this on this thread? No.

 

TBF he wasn't the one who jumped down Alpine's throat. It was the other way round...

[NickG]

NickG.

 

Cheers for putting this on the forum, perhaps it should go into the match programme as well for the fans who dont get on here to read what a gent Markus was..

 

a pleasure, think it deserves to be widely read

Edited 18 August, 2010 by NickG

[alpine_saint]

TBF he wasn't the one who jumped down Alpine's throat. It was the other way round...

 

Hows that then ?

 

You dont think it completely inappropriate to mention HIS name and have a sly dig at NC on this thread ?

 

All I did was express the hope that the demonstration of Markus's faith and loyalty to NC would have mellowed his opinion of him.

[saint_stevo]

Great thread, great story.

 

WIFM

[hypochondriac]

Hows that then ?

 

You dont think it completely inappropriate to mention HIS name and have a sly dig at NC on this thread ?

 

All I did was express the hope that the demonstration of Markus's faith and loyalty to NC would have mellowed his opinion of him.

 

Give it a rest.

[alpine_saint]

Give it a rest.

 

Stay out of it then.

[revolution saint]

Bloke buys a watch for his mate....that must be the most touching story I've ever read. I'm sorry but this thread is making me wretch. Will people stop pretending Markus was Mother Teresa. I'm sure he was a nice bloke and I am sad he's dead but really? Some of the posts on here are just very sad - have a bit of dignity and stop pretending this is the end of the world. If I was Markus or knew him I would be embarassed by this thread.

[alpine_saint]

Does anybody know what sort of watch we are talking about, out of curiosity ?

[hypochondriac]

Bloke buys a watch for his mate....that must be the most touching story I've ever read. I'm sorry but this thread is making me wretch. Will people stop pretending Markus was Mother Teresa. I'm sure he was a nice bloke and I am sad he's dead but really? Some of the posts on here are just very sad - have a bit of dignity and stop pretending this is the end of the world. If I was Markus or knew him I would be embarassed by this thread.

 

Mate, best confine that sort of talk to our PM conversations! You will get absolutely roasted now.

[alpine_saint]

Mate, best confine that sort of talk to our PM conversations! You will get absolutely roasted now.

 

How illuminating. So what, you two PM each other taking the p*ss out of other people's sentimentality, do you ?

[hypochondriac]

How illuminating. So what, you two PM each other taking the p*ss out of other people's sentimentality, do you ?

 

Nope.

[Danbert]

God you people are OTT

[revolution saint]

How illuminating. So what, you two PM each other taking the p*ss out of other people's sentimentality, do you ?

 

Yep, I do and Hypo doesn't. I think it's silly and I don't mind putting it out on here. I think this is over sentimentality. To be honest i don't really care if you disagree - as you've said countless times this is an internet forum and it's all up for debate.