Author Topic: R I P Tom Smith - A true friend of Liverpool Football Club (Read 36583 times)

grahamlfc · « **on:** February 28, 2014, 09:19:38 pm »

A very dear friend of mine has died recently, a very special guy and a very special friend of Liverpool FC. His name: Tom Smith. Why I hear you ask is he a special friend of Liverpool Football Club?

Let me explain..........

In 2005, when Liverpool FC miraculously won the UEFA Champions League in the Miracle of Istanbul on the 25th May 2005 v AC Milan and it was confirmed by UEFA that Liverpool FC would NOT be allowed to defend their trophy because LFC had finished fifth in the league and therefore did not qualify from their league position and it was therefore deemed they would not be allowed to defend their title won so magnificently versus AC Milan in the Turkish capital Istanbul.

Tom Smith, born in Motherwell, Scotland, ex-professional footballer with Clyde & WBA, but resident in Warrington for over 30 years and a supporter & season ticket holder of Manchester City since the 1960's, decided this was an injustice and decided to take it upon himself to do something about it.

Tom, the very next day set up a website with an Online petition called www.fairplaytoliver pool.co.uk which in a matter of days collected over 100,000 signatures which Tom Smith then forwarded on to lobby Sepp Blatter & UEFA officials to allow Liverpool FC the right to defend their trophy.

The rest as they say is history......

A great guy & a great true football fan who I am honoured to have called a friend. He will be sadly missed by his wife Pam, his friends & family and the famous Tartan Army, of which he was a member and hardly ever missed a Scotland home or away match anywhere in Europe.

Let us not forget, he was NOT a Liverpool Football Club supporter, he was a Manchester City supporter, however he saw an injustice and because he was a true football fan, he decided to do something about it and hence the online petition to UEFA. Truly astounding what he did for our club LFC and I believe for that alone - he should NEVER be forgotten.

Tom's funeral is on Tuesday 4th March 2014 in Warrington.

R I P Tom......... and thanks for being a great friend.

http://www.opencity.co.uk/forums/archive/index.php?t-10483.html

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/spot-on-with-a-new-ball-game-1016094

http://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=148055&sid=cd2e0e6aad82e4479862a18ca5e2ed0a

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/suarez-crowned-by-german-reds

Chakan · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2014, 09:22:31 pm »

RIP YNWA and thanks

grahamlfc · « **Reply #2 on:** March 1, 2014, 09:43:13 pm »

Thanks to everyone who has contacted me via mobile, landline, text message & PM for all the messages of condolences, etc. I will pass all your thoughts & sympathy wishes to Tom's widow & family. Many thanks.

Nut/ella · « **Reply #3 on:** March 1, 2014, 09:48:29 pm »

RIP Tom

Max_powers · « **Reply #4 on:** March 1, 2014, 09:49:38 pm »

jillc · « **Reply #5 on:** March 1, 2014, 09:52:31 pm »

RIP Tom, condolences to his family.

Solomon Grundy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 1, 2014, 09:53:47 pm »

I remember him doing this.

RIP Tom. YNWA.

Red Beret · « **Reply #7 on:** March 1, 2014, 09:55:58 pm »

CHOPPER · « **Reply #8 on:** March 1, 2014, 10:00:03 pm »

Rest in peace Tommy lad.

hide5seek · « **Reply #9 on:** March 1, 2014, 11:02:08 pm »

jaffod · « **Reply #10 on:** March 1, 2014, 11:16:26 pm »

RIP Tom.

ALPH1217 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 1, 2014, 11:17:20 pm »

RIP - must have been quite a man.

Gaz123456 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 2, 2014, 01:03:39 pm »

RIP and thanks Tom

PaisleyPrint · « **Reply #13 on:** March 2, 2014, 01:06:09 pm »

RIP Tom - condolences to his family. A true supporter of the game and fair play.

red mongoose · « **Reply #14 on:** March 2, 2014, 01:11:23 pm »

RIP Tom

YNWA

Mad Max · « **Reply #15 on:** March 2, 2014, 01:13:15 pm »

grahamlfc · « **Reply #16 on:** March 3, 2014, 02:49:12 pm »

Many thanks to all for the countless messages of condolence - appreciate it.

nittinivala · « **Reply #17 on:** March 3, 2014, 04:38:05 pm »

Thank you and rest in peace,Tom.

McMahon · « **Reply #18 on:** March 3, 2014, 04:50:18 pm »

R.I.P.

dorsetgill · « **Reply #19 on:** March 3, 2014, 06:41:14 pm »

RIP Tom

Benitez Adoramus · « **Reply #20 on:** March 3, 2014, 06:54:49 pm »

RIP and thanks Tom

ACLE · « **Reply #21 on:** March 3, 2014, 06:57:11 pm »

Sad news, RIP and thanks for the campaign.

kopite.keith · « **Reply #22 on:** March 3, 2014, 07:06:18 pm »

A true football man

RIP

rhylred · « **Reply #23 on:** March 3, 2014, 07:26:48 pm »

RIP to a true football supporter,Thank You Tom YNWA

grahamlfc · « **Reply #24 on:** March 4, 2014, 09:08:48 am »

On the way to Tom's funeral, many many thanks to everyone for their sincere condolences.

justsean · « **Reply #25 on:** March 4, 2014, 09:18:12 am »

RIP Tom.

dirks digglers · « **Reply #26 on:** March 4, 2014, 09:21:43 am »

RIP Tom and well said everyone. YNWA.

horne · « **Reply #27 on:** March 4, 2014, 09:35:02 am »

What a great guy
A proper football man !
RIP Tom
and Thank you

MiserableP15 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 4, 2014, 09:47:01 am »

Did not know that.

RIP Tom Smith.

boots · « **Reply #29 on:** March 4, 2014, 10:18:08 am »

Humble men like Tom make me proud to be Scottish.

YNWA Laddie.

jambutty · « **Reply #30 on:** March 4, 2014, 10:19:35 am »

Ta Tom. RIP

Owl · « **Reply #31 on:** March 4, 2014, 10:20:23 am »

RIP

YNWA

helmboy_nige · « **Reply #32 on:** March 4, 2014, 10:30:07 am »

RIP and thanks.

YNWA

Aaron Rattray1 · « **Reply #33 on:** March 4, 2014, 07:27:40 pm »

First i have seen this... RIP Tom

redalways · « **Reply #34 on:** March 4, 2014, 10:25:17 pm »

Rest in Peace Tom

Decent man

Daniel Cabbaggio · « **Reply #35 on:** March 4, 2014, 11:48:29 pm »

R.I.P. Tom

Vaugely remember hearing about the petiton at the time, really nice thing for a football fan to do

terrible suits · « **Reply #36 on:** March 5, 2014, 12:03:17 am »

Quote

Football fans around the world unite for Liverpool.

CALLING all fans of football and fair play.

Welcome to the campaign for Liverpool FC to defend the Champions League Trophy, won in such dramatic fashion this week.

The whole of football, barring UEFA's big wigs, seem to agree that it is only "Right and Fair" that Liverpool F C should be allowed to defend their title.
Football is nothing without it's fans, who provide the spirit, the atmosphere, the revenues and the passion of the beautiful game.

UEFA should therefore bow to what the fans want, and that is for them to do what is right, and make an exception to the rules. Please take the time to fill in our petition which will be presented to the UEFA delegation at the meeting in Manchester in June.

Tom Smith, who has launched the campaign said: "No matter what club you support, you can't fail to have been captivated by the final in Istanbul.
"Liverpool are the rightful "Champions League" champions and it will be a nonsense if they are not allowed to defend their title.

It will make a mockery of next season's competition, damage football and show UEFA to be as horribly out of touch with the grassroots fans as they are appearing to be now unless someone in Switzerland sees sense."

No doubt you feel the same, be heard! and tell them!

So please sign the Petition.

Quote

The Champions League Petition for Liverpool FC is now CLOSED! due to its' Success!! Today The UEFA announced that Liverpool would be given the chance to defend their title in the Champions League Competition next season.

However, Liverpool will have to play in the 1st round Qualifiers.

We would like to thank all who have signed the petition, voicing the opinions of the Fans convincing The UEFA that "The Champions League should have their Champions defending it."

WELL DONE!! TO THE FOOTBALL FANS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB!!

RIP

Joern · « **Reply #37 on:** March 5, 2014, 12:04:15 am »

My condolences. RIP

The Red artist. · « **Reply #38 on:** March 5, 2014, 12:16:29 am »

R.I.P. Tom.

Kennys Smile · « **Reply #39 on:** March 5, 2014, 12:31:01 am »

Thanks Tom, R.I.P.