RIP Malcolm Harry Roberts - Canveyshrimper

[The General]

Beaten to it by Naps lol!

 

[McNasty]

But that's what I mean, it WASN'T his comment originally, it was ACU's. Harry was a good mod on this forum and I believe he deserves more than just a thread title anyway. He frequently drank in the Spread on matchdays and I just think that's more fitting.

Actually, before ACU I think it was steveh1520 back in 2000/1 days,

This proves the fact that when people stop visiting or posting on the Zone for whatever reason, the site continues and evolves.

May the Zone and all it's members continue and thrive.

 

[TrueBlue]

A fitting picture I just found online....

 

[Bluesmanager]

Bugger. Saw this yesterday on the main page but as I don't visit the Chit Chat much unless it's matchday I didn't realise who it was until I saw the dedication. Not the nicest way to wake up on a Friday morning.

Godspeed.

 

[dloman]

Didn't know the man personally other than a hello when i saw him around, but felt like i knew him better through his insightful postings. Think his own signature of An ode to remembrance sums it up.

 

[A Century United]

Actually, before ACU I think it was steveh1520 back in 2000/1 days,

It was indeed. But I think neither I nor steveh1520 would dispute that Harry made that phrase his own - you only have to read through this thread to realise that.

I too think that Homer's bar should remain as it is, but renaming the pre-match thread, either as "Canvey's" or the "We're Gonna Get Spanked" would be a nice touch.

EDIT:

Harry loved and was the font of all knowledge on most sports. The alll sports forum could be renamed to Harrys corner.

Just seen this, not a bad idea.

 

[steveo]

Didnt know the bloke personally but he was a sort of SZ constant that you just assumed would always be around.
TBs wrds sum it up " keeping a cool head and showing a dignified and gracious persona "
Shocker.

 

[essexshrimper]

never had the [pleasure of meeting him, but from the posts on here, he sounds like a genreally nice guy, who loved southend for most of his life, RIP canveyshrimper :'(

also the posts in respect of this great shrimper makes me proud to a southend fan

 

[Beefy]

I had a tough night's sleep last night. Couldn't stop thinking about this. Speaks volumes of him, considering I'd never met the bloke.

 

[RobE1]

Hi All,

I am a colleague of Malcolm's (Harry's).

I would just like to say how touching it is reading your tributes, stories and memories of Malcolm, so many have brought tears to my eyes.

A few people have mentioned that Malcolm did not have any immediate family so it is great to see he had so many friends on here and through out the SUFC family.

I am not a Shrimper, but having worked with Malcolm closely for several years I always look out for your results. Malcolm had invited me along to games a few times but had never had the chance to make one, something i was hoping to change this season. I am gutted I'll now not get the opportunity to do this with Malcolm.

When I started my job I knew nothing of the industry, but Malolm took me under his wing and taught me so much over the years. He was always happy to help or answer my questions no matter what time of day and even if he was on holiday!! Many of you have mentioned his "witticisms". These are something I will miss the most, he had a knack of answering any question with a joke or funny anecdote. He always had the ability to make you laugh or smile no matter what the situation.

I will miss our daily chats about anything and everything. I'll miss his wit and intelligence. I'll miss his dislike for Colchester.

But most of all i'll miss Malcolm for being Malcolm!!

RIP mate

Rob

 

[Sutton Who]

I found out about Harry's passing at a work meeting yesterday and just made me numb all day. Harry well what can I say, he was a true gent and great guy. Never a bad word about him. Flying up to Scotland for the Eggheads show, he seemed to know most of the answers in the Pub Quiz book OBL had bought along. Felt like you could talk to him about anything. Sharing the hotel room we had our private chats and he helped me out with a private matter, which considering it was the really the first time we had met, just showed what a top guy he was. After the Eggheads I didn't really see Harry that much apart from Matchdays, when we did bump into each other always had time for a chat. I still feel numb, still can't quite believe he has gone. :'(

Was thinking for his funeral if we all wore Southend scarves for Harry

 

[essexshrimper]

I found out about Harry's passing at a work meeting yesterday and just made me numb all day. Harry well what can I say, he was a true gent and great guy. Never a bad word about him. Flying up to Scotland for the Eggheads show, he seemed to know most of the answers in the Pub Quiz book OBL had bought along. Felt like you could talk to him about anything. Sharing the hotel room we had our private chats and he helped me out with a private matter, which considering it was the really the first time we had met, just showed what a top guy he was. After the Eggheads I didn't really see Harry that much apart from Matchdays, when we did bump into each other always had time for a chat. I still feel numb, still can't quite believe he has gone. :'(

Was thinking for his funeral if we all wore Southend scarves for Harry

liking the scarfs idea :thumbsup:

 

[terry]

To all Zoners.

I'm (was) Harry's boss, and it was sadly me that that put the news out the other day about his untimely passing by trawling through his facebook friends. Until yesterday, I never knew the Shrimper Zone existed (alas my football allegiance lies elsewhere), but I and my staff have been glued to this forum since yesterday morning, and we are all blown away by the sheer scale of heartfelt messages emanating from this board for our dear friend and colleague.

Whilst we all knew he was a lifelong and fanatical Southend supporter, it has still come as a surprise to us just how well he was known and loved in the SUFC community and the high esteem that many of you hold for him.

Harry has always been known as Malcolm to us - for some reason he never encouraged us to use his Harry nickname, which I understand he picked up in the sixties because he looked like Harry Roberts, the man who shot dead three policemen in what became known as the Shepherd's Bush Murders!

Malcolm had been with our company since 2005, and as a relatively small team we were all very close. His passing has devastated us, and we are all still numb with shock.

From my own personal point of view, there are so many little things I will miss about him. Our daily chats about football. Trying to convince him to make the coffee. Taking his newspaper to read in the loo (he was the only one to bring a paper in every day). Seeing him being the first to run down the stairs during a fire drill. His incredible sports knowledge. His ability to make me smile even after we had had words. His willingness to help anybody who needed it. His genuine compassion for everybody (except Neil Warnock!). I could go on and on.

I would like to encourage all of my staff to also post their own thoughts on Malcolm on this forum, as I see this whole forum being a great epitaph for him.

Many of you may not know, but Malcolm has very little family. Lived on his own, never married, no kids, parents have passed away. His has an elderly uncle and aunt, and to the best of my knowledge has one cousin and her family in the UK, with another cousin residing in Australia. One of my staff is helping his uncle today by attending Malcolm's flat to start the sad process of putting Malcolm's affairs in order. We will probably be taking care of Malcolm's funeral arrangements if his remaining family want us to, and his funeral will most probably be at Southend Crematorium.

Once arrangements have been made, I will post the details on this forum under this same thread, and it would be a fitting tribute for him if many of you could attend. Malcolm lived and breathed Southend United, and I know he would have been very proud to receive a true Southend send-off.

RIP Malcolm Harry Roberts, we will remember you always.

Terry Collier and all at LV Shipping

 

[C C Csiders]

Would a fitting tribute to Harry (Malcolm) tomorrow be if we go a goal behind, in tribute to the "we're are gonna get spanked" we break out into a minute's applause?

 

[Kent Shrimper]

Right, where do I start sorry my views are only just about to be expressed! of all the days to find out about this sad news I was having my own heart wrenching time at my uncles funeral in Clacton!

Anyway, words can't really express how much of a good and genuine guy Malcolm was, I can't pretend to be a life long friend or anything like that but what his death is a testament to is how things like ShrimperZone bring people together and open doors for new friendships.

I got to know Malcolm through SZ in the 03/04 days I can recall my first memory of taking to him, he was always kind and friendly towards me always talking about my 'one liners' and genuinely taking an interest in what I had to say, this was Malcolm down to a tee!

It is now in my time supporting Southend the 3rd what I would call major blow to us Southend fans as a whole, whilst I wish ever single blues fan that passes on the up most respect Malcolm in my view joins the likes of Bob Evans and Graham Jolly to become the 3rd totally gutting loss we have seen in recent times!

Malcolm I loved you witty banter and you always good and keeping a cool head and showing a dignified and gracious persona whether that be on this forum or in real life!

I will dedicate this game on Saturday to you mate, the drum will beat and every beat will signify a moment you have touched a persons heart and made this world a better place, and even then beating for a whole 90 mins would not even make a dent into the times you have!

Rest In Peace Malcolm

Southend Forever!


Scott x

P.s Will attend the funeral when arrangements are made.

Great post Scott, had me in tears mate and i love your idea for the drum.

 

[Tank]

Malcolm (Harry) Roberts Remembered

I had the extreme privilege of drinking with Harry last Saturday night (8th Sept) at the Carlton pub in Leigh Broadway. He was on good form, just a bit worried about an upcoming hernia op. I knew Malcolm/Harry since we were kids in Thundersley 50 years ago, then we lost touch for a while, and Facebook found us again. Here's a nice photo in the Spread on Boxing Day 2009. He sure had a great bunch of friends and colleagues, and was a much-loved geeza..nuff said.

 

[Tank]

Lovely tribute Terry..I won't quibble at how he got the Harry moniker, except that it was purely on name and not appearance! I'm in shipping myself, and I know he'll really be missed in the industry.

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

I had the extreme privilege of drinking with Harry last Saturday night (8th Sept) at the Carlton pub in Leigh Broadway. He was on good form, just a bit worried about an upcoming hernia op. I knew Malcolm/Harry since we were kids in Thundersley 50 years ago, then we lost touch for a while, and Facebook found us again. Here's a nice photo in the Spread on Boxing Day 2009. He sure had a great bunch of friends and colleagues, and was a much-loved geeza..nuff said.View attachment 1900

Only got back from Florida 3 hours ago, and have just found out this tragic news. The last text message on my phone was from Harry, just before i flew out, after i'd given him details about the Carlton meet-up last week.
To say i'm stunned is an understatement. R.I.P. H

 

[Tank]

Yes, 60 on 21st July 2012

 

[McNasty]

Lovely tribute Terry..I won't quibble at how he got the Harry moniker, except that it was purely on name and not appearance! I'm in shipping myself, and I know he'll really be missed in the industry.

I remember the "Harry Roberts is our hero" chant in the North Bank in the 60's whenever a copper walked behind the goal.