RIP Malcolm Harry Roberts - Canveyshrimper

[Strykr]

RIP fellow shrimper.

 

[Firestorm]

I usually just read threads on here and don't post, but this awful news has finally brought me out of hiding. I've known Harry since I was 16, when he was secretary of our Sunday league team, Castle Aristocrats, then later known as Hadleigh Sports. We spent so many hours over what, 35-ish years, often with Firestorm and CC1DAS, on the old north bank terrace and in a few local boozers and curry houses. No matter how bad the football was Harry would always make us laugh. Watching Southend became more of a social event thanks to the big man. As FS mentioned earlier, we lost touch for a few years as Harry went on his travels and I moved out of the area too. A couple of years back we met up again at a game and have spoken & emailed regularly since then. At the games I get to now, I always sit near Harry in case the game is rubbish as I know he'll make me laugh. I sent him a mail yesterday and thought it odd he hadn't replied, he was always so quick to reply with that intelligent and witty humour he possessed. Now I know why and that explains the tears in my eyes as I type a small tribute to a lovely man, a great friend and someone who will be so badly missed. It was his round too. Typical H.
Goodbye my friend, Roots Hall will seem even emptier without you.

Great words Jim

All I have thought about most of today is Harry having a Row with Ian Portfield and the Northbank banter

 

[Yer Blues]

Truly sad news. A lovely man. Sleep well Harry.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Just to echo everyone else really. Whenever I posted something I always looked for a reply from 2 posters in particular - he was one of them.

 

[callan]

Known Harry for years...via work / Football and he'd always join up for a beer and curry when out with mates from Canvey.
Always got a beer in and I can never remember him having a bad word to say about anyone.
Gonna miss ya mete.

 

[Barling Magna]

I didn't know Harry, but I always enjoyed Canvey Shrimper's posts, especially his pre-match message of gloom. 60 is no age these days. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this desperate time. For the rest of us I guess we need to remember how frail this life thing is and to make the most of our time here; none of us know what's around the corner for us.

 

[ian180]

Condolences to his family, and friends . I did not know Harry, but his was one of the posts I looked out for

 

[McNasty]

Harry had no immediate family so it would be appreciated if, when funeral details are known, as many Zoners and friends as possible can attend to pay their last respects.

 

[Depor_Shrimper]

After taking time to read all the posts in this thread it reminded me of exactly why I support Southend. The thoughtfulness and compassion shown by our supporters on days like this make me proud to be a part of the SUFC family. Whilst I didn't personally know Harry it is clear that he was much loved and highly respected by all, may he rest in peace.

 

[A Century United]

Great work on the SZ banner.

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

I've not long returned from work and so have only just seen all these lovely tributes to a true friend and a remarkable gentleman

Night Harry mate, sleep well x

 

[Cricko]

If there was one person that could make me laugh it was H. He had a way to lift your spirits even at the dullest times. I knew him for many years through SUFC and more over the past 7 years through The Zone. We became great friends and he was an obvious choice for us to become a Mod when we needed one.He never really had a bad word to say about anybody and generally took the middle road in most conversations.

He was our Quiz team leader whenever we entered a team and his knowledge of not only sport but random out of the Blue answers to various topics sometimes astounded us all.

He was BLUEBLOOD and mines lunch partner on many occasions and used to make us laugh then and was Lee's partner in crime with the PL league.

He was the first to shout whenever we wanted to raise money for charity,or any fundraising effort on here.

He was one of the first to join up to the now defunct London Beer Club and I know a lot from those days will miss him.

He probably had more knowledge about Cricket than anybody I have ever known.

He Loved our club SUFC since he was a kid and although lately not overwhelmed with the football still went to most games.

He was as this thread shows respected and loved by many.

He was my friend and confidant at times and that I will miss the most.

He was H or Harry or Malcolm.He really didn't mind what you called him as long as it didn't end in T.

He was a true gent and from the old school of thoughts, respect and kindness.

God Bless you H and R.I.P my friend x

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Absolutely stunned - Harry was and always will be a legend. A great guy, a good mate and a mean quiz player. RIP mate.

 

[Col.U. Mad]

The man always talked sense and not a hurtful bone in his body.
R.I.P. Canveyshrimper. :sad:

 

[The Big Dady]

RIP H,

You will be missed by us all on here, your post on most match threads aways brought a smile to my face.

Canvey Shrimper "We're gonna get spanked"

I am sure like everyone else on Shrimperzone, my sympathy goes to all your family, friends, and work colleges.

 

[ms brush]

Didnt know Harry but recognise him from the East Blacks - such sad news, always sorry to hear about the loss of a fellow shrimper, especially at such a relatively young age. Condolences to all Harry's family and friends. God bless and sleep tight xx

 

[Firestorm]

Harry had no immediate family so it would be appreciated if, when funeral details are known, as many Zoners and friends as possible can attend to pay their last respects.

Ken
I am not around this week but if you know of anything that needs doing after that pm me and I will gladly help

 

[madaboutblues]

I didn't know Harry personally but always thought of him as a true gent. He was always most polite when disagreeing with others on SZ which I found very endearing.
When I heard the news today I felt like someone I knew had gone. I think that is one of the true positives about SZ, it is like a family.
I too always looked for his catchphrase on the pre-match thread. In fact I almost commented on it last week when he mis-typed spanked.
RIP Harry, they always say God takes the good ones early xx

 

[getintoem]

As you can see, although I have been an avid reader of this site for a long time I have rarely posted. Over the years of reading others' posts you feel you get to know the person though, even if you have never met them. I always enjoyed reading Harry's posts because they often displayed a gentle sense of humour and/or a considerable knowledge of SUFC back in the day when I was a regular at the Hall (from this thread I have learnt that we were about the same age). Most of all I could tell that Harry had a warm heart and there are not enough people in the world like that.

I feel very saddened by this news so those of you that knew him must be devastated.

R.I.P. Harry.

 

[Pak Power]

I didn't know Harry, but always enjoyed reading his posts.
10 pages so far shows the feeling that everyone had for this man.
My condolences go out to his family, and those of you who were his friends.
We were his 'zone family'.

Rest in peace fellow shrimper.