tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post5416802534123662081..comments2012-04-19T09:07:51.123-07:00Comments on I'm Smarter Than You Think.: Daddy or Chips? Daddy. Every time.Rachel Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00488389770994765086noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-64404370661299074412012-04-19T09:07:51.123-07:002012-04-19T09:07:51.123-07:00Thank you for your comments everybody. Kelly, read...Thank you for your comments everybody. Kelly, reading your comment brought a tear to my eye and a smile to my face at the same time! Thank you xxxRachel Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00488389770994765086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-49967053813549492882012-04-18T15:07:25.392-07:002012-04-18T15:07:25.392-07:00Rachel WOW!
I haven't read anything that's...Rachel WOW!<br />I haven't read anything that's made me feel so emotional as your beautifully expressed blog about your Dad, King Billy.<br />I'm a BFC STH now aged 33 but in your Dad's era, I used to attend all home and away matches. In the school holidays I'd go to the training ground every morning with my friend and my brother, whatever the weather. Your Dad always made a point of speaking to us (usually to tell us we must be mad on the rainy days) I remember during one torrential downpour he sent us to stand in the doorway of the training hut and watch the training from there. Even though he was hard at work with his squad he still had a thought for us! He really was a remarkable and gentle man.<br /> <br />Away support back then consisted of a hardcore of about 200. Billy would always make a point of scanning the stand to look out for us and greet us with a friendly wave. Everytime he did that we were all absolutely thrilled and he made us feel so important! He really went out of his way to make us feel part of his Tangerine Army and for that reason alone I shall always hold a place for him in my heart forever.<br />You're very lucky to have had him as your Daddy and I'm so sorry he's not still here today. I'm sure he'd be so proud of you particularly for sitting in the stands with the real fans.<br /><br />Best wishes to you 'pet' and whatever you do.<br /> <br />Kelly xTangerineKellsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09550113282696029057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-80505792920083565352012-04-18T10:35:46.152-07:002012-04-18T10:35:46.152-07:00What a lovely blog that made a 52 year old Scarbor...What a lovely blog that made a 52 year old Scarborough supporter cry.<br /><br />I remember Billy as a big tough rugged centre-half who took no prisoners, but he was a great footballer. Sadly he came back as manager here in later years and didnt do well because of our poor financial position at the time but make no mistake he is loved by all of my generation of "Boro" fans<br /> <br />My father Derek Watson,who died in 1999,was a director of Scarborough FC and became great friends with your Dad often visiting your home, usually when he attended the Grand National in his later years and he absolutely loved Billy and always came home with a funny story from him.<br /><br />I remember them holidaying with Scarborough FC in Gibraltar sometime in the 70's and a lovely picture of the 2 of them wearing crash helmets after they had been go-karting and can remember my Dad saying Billy was no good at that because he was too big for the Kart?<br /><br />Lovely to see the esteem he was held in by the Blackpool fansAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-51005957597377695502012-04-16T12:51:43.298-07:002012-04-16T12:51:43.298-07:00You should be proud of yourself and your dad.
He ...You should be proud of yourself and your dad. <br />He was the greatest manager we ever had and loved by everyone at Blackpool.<br />We might of not been in the Premiership when King Billy was manager but he was one of us and loved by all. No manager before or since has ever been at one with the fans. <br />He was such a nice man and you do look like him. <br />Be proud.seasiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18369606821952986540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-55441417041693646502012-04-16T11:42:12.475-07:002012-04-16T11:42:12.475-07:00Have enjoyed reading your blog and the comments ma...Have enjoyed reading your blog and the comments made by the various people - it reminded me of the era billy was in charge at Blackpool FC.<br /><br />My sister, my dad and I were in the crowd against Huddersfield at home one season when there had been serious concern prior to the match about overcrowding in the old East Stand (Scratching Sheds). My sister, as she's only small had moved to the front to see the game. There was a point in the game when the crowd suddenly surged forward and my sister was up against the old terrace metal fencing panicking and afraid of being crushed.<br /><br />Billy stepped in talked her down and with the assistance of another member of the coaching team lifted my sister over the railing to the safety of the cinder track - something which has stuck with my sister ever since.<br /><br />After a few minutes of chatting to my sister - while the game was going on - despite all his allegiances and affiliations to football he was a sensitive caring man who put life truly in perspective in terms of whats important when it matters. My sister again being slightly younger but no less cheeky than today when asked is there was anything else he could do lifting her back into the stand piped up - yes could you get some of the players to come to my Dads 50th birthday party.<br /><br />True to his word King Billy turned up with a number of the players at my Dad's 50th birthday - it meant a lot to everyone who was there.<br /><br />Live life like your father and you will be truly emotionally rich.<br /><br />Regards<br /><br />Bfc1974Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17103373293021365876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-18122406448980138612012-04-16T10:45:40.682-07:002012-04-16T10:45:40.682-07:00Dear Rachel,
I attended your fathers funeral along...Dear Rachel,<br />I attended your fathers funeral along with many other Blackpool supporters, Manager and staff in a standing room only church.<br />Never a day goes by without some kind of mention of "King Billy" as he is nicknamed by us. He was the kind of inspirational man that you would be the first to ask for in a crisis. I am not overly religious but I said a little prayer for him today.<br />God Bless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-52703728462017587892012-04-16T08:41:24.565-07:002012-04-16T08:41:24.565-07:00Reading that makes me proud to be a Blackpool fan ...Reading that makes me proud to be a Blackpool fan and so glad I was old enough to remember Bill. He started our rise back up the leagues and I will always thank him for that. And what you have written also restores my faith in the human race. Thank You Rachel and RIP Billy.<br /><br />Pete<br />#BillyAyresTangerineArmyPete Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02861336084685864597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-22186809478223131932012-04-16T07:33:41.908-07:002012-04-16T07:33:41.908-07:00http://fansonline.net/blackpool/mb/view.php?id=109...http://fansonline.net/blackpool/mb/view.php?id=1096555<br /><br />Much missed.<br /><br />King Billytangerine4lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15210329377062239551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-39721997635937112562012-04-16T04:00:14.553-07:002012-04-16T04:00:14.553-07:00Thats was lovely. Your Dad will be proud of you.Thats was lovely. Your Dad will be proud of you.SCFChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09843540975030269599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-35293120878032553102012-04-16T03:57:15.646-07:002012-04-16T03:57:15.646-07:00Lovely words you write about your Dad.
He was a tr...Lovely words you write about your Dad.<br />He was a true gentleman and was adored by the people of the town of Blackpool, not just for his success as a manager, but for being a proper top-quality human being in every single way.<br /><br />The day you DO meet him again, please give him a hug from me, who idolised him as a Pool fan in many ways and wanted to turn to be like him.<br /><br />Take Care.Dead Piehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02006992182183896628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-89754325914784529362012-04-16T00:28:24.004-07:002012-04-16T00:28:24.004-07:00beautiful read and wonderful memories you have sha...beautiful read and wonderful memories you have shared of your dad.<br />Billy was the manager of BFC when i first start properly supporting Blackpool - his commitment/motivation and most of all PASSION will stay with me for ever as a manager and as a person.<br /><br />Thinking of you all on this day.<br /><br />Dave M (from Kirkham)TiSwAshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03765364318621256501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-73698322888483037262012-04-15T15:23:42.414-07:002012-04-15T15:23:42.414-07:00Hi Rachel,
I'm a Blackpool fan also since 196...Hi Rachel,<br /><br />I'm a Blackpool fan also since 1966, I'm the same age as your Dad, born in 1952 and my son, David, also a Blackpool fan, is your age, 22 next week. He is doing a Masters at Newcastle in Multimedia Journalism and, coincidentally, writes in the AFC Gateshead programme. <br /><br />I remember your Dad vividly as my son's first ever game was as a 3 month old. I took him to Blackpool v Oxford over here on the Isle of Man, in the July festival. Your Dad was assistant at the time to Graham Carr, but you could tel that day that he was destined to be a great Manager, thankfully for Blackpool.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Billy will certainly be in my thoughts tomorrow . Best wishes, Phil Harrisonpah43https://www.blogger.com/profile/07578166046866178688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-78187379948333025062012-04-15T14:43:03.912-07:002012-04-15T14:43:03.912-07:00Rachel I have followed BFC since 66 when my dad fi...Rachel I have followed BFC since 66 when my dad first took me as a nipper. Billy was a man, a hero and one of the best if not the best managers BFC have ever had. I need to stop there we all sometimes forget as football fans that managers, players or people involved in the game are fathers. After reading you blog I am touched thank you sharing the great man King Billy Dad and King Billy Manager. <br /><br />VegaspoolVegaspoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11858004305400664801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-65030961804035419112012-04-15T14:38:05.300-07:002012-04-15T14:38:05.300-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Vegaspoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11858004305400664801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-21096288627059266462012-04-15T13:57:31.924-07:002012-04-15T13:57:31.924-07:00Rachel, my thoughts have been summed up perfectly ...Rachel, my thoughts have been summed up perfectly by your words and also the comment by Steve S. Even though, as Blackpool fans, we`ve had a great time recently, the memories of the "Billy Ayre Years" will never leave us. I only met him once, very briefly, but he came across as a hugely likeable man. No Blackpool fan will ever forget his clenched fist salute that he gave before every game.<br /> I also lost my father, 20 years ago this year, and I miss him every day. He passed away just after the Wembley victory in 1992. I`m glad that he witnessed part of your dads era. Legend is an often overused word in football, I`m not saying this to be nice but the word legend couldnt be more apt when talking about your father.<br /><br />Billy Ayres Tangerine Army!Dave Boothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15504179810240332159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-53307494780745081112012-04-15T13:36:14.166-07:002012-04-15T13:36:14.166-07:00Can't really follow the posts above apart from...Can't really follow the posts above apart from saying he will always hold a special place in our hearts. The Blackpool public will always remember King Billy.<br /><br />Billy Ayres Tangerine Army!Tangerinewizardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12762398751763825993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-45719074764108944152012-04-15T12:51:17.848-07:002012-04-15T12:51:17.848-07:00Well done Rachel, you made a 53 year old Blackpool...Well done Rachel, you made a 53 year old Blackpool fan cry like a baby.<br /><br />You should be proud of your Dad and..........believe me........time is a great healer<br /><br />God Bless sweetheart<br /><br />grumpyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-72750577135171785472012-04-13T02:24:53.319-07:002012-04-13T02:24:53.319-07:00Hi, iam going to post a link to which you will fin...Hi, iam going to post a link to which you will find interest and may take some comfort knowing how much your father was loved.<br /><br />http://www.backhenrystreet.co.uk/Thread-Billy-Ayretangerine4lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15210329377062239551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-46325042284403574972012-04-13T01:28:26.736-07:002012-04-13T01:28:26.736-07:00I only met your Dad once. He was in his office beh...I only met your Dad once. He was in his office behind the club shop at Bloomfield Road and I was the only punter browsing the very limited line of club merchandise. He came out of his office, and asked me if I'd enjoyed the home win the Saturday before and me being much younger, cheekier and braver than I am now said "I always enjoy the home wins, but we could do with winning one or two away in a season". <br /><br />He shot me the "manager's stare" and offered me a brew in his office if I had five minutes, with the sole purpose of explaining to me why things were going wrong on the road and what he was doing to try and put it right. I guarantee that no other manager in football would have done what he did that day - as if he needed to explain anything to me! That was the man - everyone was important to him, and he wanted everyone positive and onside. A few minutes in his company and you couldn't help but have complete and utter adoration for the man. He will be a legend to me until the day I day, that's for sure.<br /><br />I was on the pitch the day that photo was taken of the supporters lifting him aloft. That and the pump fist to the crowd are memories that will never fade.SteveShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08037455700654486275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-32467269828856217152012-04-12T15:58:05.706-07:002012-04-12T15:58:05.706-07:00A fantastic read that Rachel (and you made me cry)...A fantastic read that Rachel (and you made me cry). I'm a Blackpool supporter and remember your father well. He was a BRILLIANT man. Often talked about and never forgotten. Good luck to you. In whatever you do x<br /><br /><br />"BILLY AYRE'S TANGERINE ARMY"Macseasiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17454318073370938683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-91961188148808397872012-04-12T15:55:36.715-07:002012-04-12T15:55:36.715-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Macseasiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17454318073370938683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-25313332342153244172012-04-12T12:40:28.744-07:002012-04-12T12:40:28.744-07:00Lovely story, I lost my dad when I was 18 and he w...Lovely story, I lost my dad when I was 18 and he was only 50, never a day goes by when i don't think of him.<br /><br />Billy was a true legend at Bloomfield Road and sorely missed.skenn01https://www.blogger.com/profile/16354411969971511294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-64300305460443341352012-04-12T12:37:07.886-07:002012-04-12T12:37:07.886-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.skenn01https://www.blogger.com/profile/16354411969971511294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-485963950181908926.post-9142182451732925592012-04-12T12:06:10.114-07:002012-04-12T12:06:10.114-07:00King Billy, Blackpool FC Legend.King Billy, Blackpool FC Legend.tangerine4lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15210329377062239551noreply@blogger.com