Featherstone Rovers

It was Mick's funeral today. We drove past his workplace and everyone was out on the side of the road to mark his passing. The crematorium was full, many faces unknown to us, many old friends reunited with Tony and Mary, some not seen since schooldays.

Tony told Mick stories of dens in the hawthorn arches and rope swings and apple & hazelnut scrumping, skylarks, frogs and fresh water mussels, Bonfire nights and mischief nights, lassooing driftwood from the river and cooking beans and eggs over campfires. He talked of Mick's love of sport, his beloved Featherstone Rovers, the Wembley run in '67, his ability to analyse and predict rugby moves and his colourful language ringing out above the crowds at matches.

Dave added his own memories of the grown up Mick; the private man, the proud man, the stubborn man, the giver and then we returned to his local, the Hungry Fox to share more stories and get to know some of his friends and workmates. Funerals generate a strange mix of emotions but we have come away feeling that we have given him a good send off and proud that so many felt they wanted to share today with us.