Every so often, if you are lucky enough, you might meet someone who
leaves an indelible mark on your life. Someone so kind hearted,
dedicated, thoughtful, respectful. Who never turns away from you, or
their back on you. A friend for life.
For me, I've been lucky to meet several of those people, most of whom
through Gosport Borough Football Club. Terry Kirby was one of those
people. Last week I was told the heartbreaking news that he had passed
away, leaving his wife Anne and son Mark.

The Kirby family or "Le famille Kirby", as I endearingly called them
once after I came home from France, (it stuck) are the epitome of a
football family and I dare anyone to tell me of another family who
supportsThe Boro as loyally, as passionately, patiently and with as
much dedication as they.

They could always be found in their usual spot at the back of the main
stand at the AEI Stadium and would turn out not just for first team
matches, but also to watch the old Reserve team and sometimes the
Youth and Ladies teams too. Terry was Boro through and through. I
dare say that Mark and Anne will still carry that tradition forward,
but somehow it won't be the same.

Terry would drive them to the occasional away game and I joined them
on these trips in my younger days. Terry was always pleased to see
me, or any other Boro fan and his opinions on GBFC were informed and
well worth your time. From a personal point of view, I've known the
family for just shy of thirty years, meeting Mark in 1994, followed
soon after by Terry and Anne.

In my late teens, I would spend Friday evenings at their home in
Bridgemary playing computer games with Mark, usually Football Manager,
and usually not doing that well at it! We'd look forward to the next
day's game or if it was the summer, we'd normally chat about the World
Cup or the Euros if they were on. Anne and Terry always had their
usual smile, hug and open door, hospitality few could match.

They became close personal friends of mine and remain so to this day.
To hear last week's news left me devastated. The last time I saw Terry
was in ASDA a few months ago and he was seemingly getting better after
being in ill health. I could see he was struggling but he greeted me
with the same warmth and geniality, that same sense of humour.

The memories of him I carry will be treasured. Never forgotten. I pay
tribute to him as Vice President of GBFC for his dedication to our
club and his enduring support down the years. But far greater is my
personal grief for someone I admired as a husband and father and a
valued and trusted friend. Someone I could turn to at any time and did
when I encountered dark times in my personal life.

Rest in peace Terry. I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that you
will be looking down on us and cheering the team on from up above.
Don't worry, your second family, The Boro family, will look after Anne
and Mark. They, just as you were, are one of us, part of us. I feel
honoured that you formed a massive part of my life. Deeply grateful.
Goodnight and sleep tight my friend.

Gosport Borough FC will pay its tribute to Terry at the first home pre
season game.