Stuart Griffin - Cheltenhamlion

[Somniloquism]

Might or might not be a good idea, but any chance of posting the text of the eulogy for the people who missed out, either because of distance, illness or concern of butting in where they didn't feel they had the right,

I can understand if you also don't want to.

[Risso]

Might or might not be a good idea, but any chance of posting the text of the eulogy for the people who missed out, either because of distance, illness or concern of butting in where they didn't feel they had the right,

I can understand if you also don't want to.

I don’t think it’s really possible unfortunately. The order of service card was quite brief, and only the Villa chaplain and Dave spoke, but none of it was written down.

‘Fuck the Albion’ (toned down obvs) featured quite highly though!

[dave.woodhall]

I've got it written down but I don't think I'd like to publish it here without Vicky's knowledge or permission and now isn't the right time to ask her.

[Legion]

RIP Chelts.




upload photo for link

[Percy McCarthy]

I’ve got plenty of dust in my eye, and even more contempt for the saying ‘it’s only a game’.

RIP Brother.

[frank]

I've got it written down but I don't think I'd like to publish it here without Vicky's knowledge or permission and now isn't the right time to ask her.

I would endorse that. I'm sure that the wider H&V community would be very interested to read your excellent eulogy, but this wouldn't be the right time to ask Vicky. (You don't often get a eulogy applauded at a funeral, as yours was).

[Brend'Watkins]

I wished I could have stayed longer at the wake it was gearing up to be a good one.  It was brilliant that some of our overseas Villains came over to be present. That was a great gesture by you lads and sorry Mark, I’ve met you once before but didn’t twig it was you. Please don’t feel I was ignoring you, my memory isn’t what it once was or you’ve got younger. 

I didn’t know Stuart as well as many of you but knew him well enough to say my life will be poorer for the omission of his wisdom, knowledge and humour. I am eternally grateful that this platform gave me the opportunity of meeting the man.

[The Edge]

I never met him but he sounds like a top bloke and Villa through and through. My condolences to his family and friends. RIEP Stuart. Another HEITS.

[amfy]

Jane & I crawled back to a Premier Inn at about midnight via McDonalds, having watched the Albion game in an Albion pub on the way home too. Managed a few rounds of FTA in honour of Stu, in response to a group that started a SOTV (for absolutely no reason, but there’s a reason why he hated them!)

It was a fantastic turn out for him with the crematorium overflowing with friends & family. The service was lovely with a genuine sense of the man he was. Dave did brilliantly recounting stories from here (weirdly mainly mine!) and then Vicky topped it with a drunken Villa story of her own.

The Villa Chaplain did a great job and I’d definitely recommend him to anyone in similar circumstances if you don’t want an entirely secular service, but aren’t that religious.

I didn’t expect to be as tearful during the service as I was, but it was moving in lots of different ways. Don’t Look Back in Anger will never sound quite the same again, and Villa gatherings will never be quite the same either. I’m looking forward to remembering him together again on our next trip to The Swiss Cottage, which we hope will be sooner rather than later.

[Stu]

Yes, was great to see some old and new faces despite the circumstances. It was a wonderful send off for Stu.

[Risso]

Yes, was great to see some old and new faces despite the circumstances. It was a wonderful send off for Stu.

Really great to see you and Jane again yesterday Stu, and Amfy and everybody else.

[Brazilian Villain]

Yes, was great to see some old and new faces despite the circumstances. It was a wonderful send off for Stu.

Really great to see you and Jane again yesterday Stu, and Amfy and everybody else.

Nice that so many made the effort to be there yesterday, given some had to travel considerable distances.

[CT]

I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there, but unfortunately my Mum passed away on the 17th and things have been hectic and sad in equal measure here.

Last met Stu at the play off final, we had a good chat and me and my lad had a great photo with him before we left. Back in the day, he first came on the Cheltenham bus, fascinated by the noisy teenage loons at the back, of which I was one.

He gave me a few private nuggets of information about the Villa over the years.

Stu was a proper good egg, and the love for him is heartwarming.

[dave.woodhall]

Whenever a sentence begins "Jane & I" you know what's coming next.

[Legion]

Sorry to hear about your Mom, Lee.