A Celebration of Stuart Hooper

One-way systems in place, hand sanitizer a plenty, bar screens installed, and the furniture moved outside.  All now standard in 2020.

In extraordinary times we gathered to celebrate an extraordinary man. One whose positivity and good humour in the face of true adversity inspired all who knew him.

The weather was sunny and warm, perfect for the day ahead. Not so perfect if you are chasing 1s around the pitch at an age where you should be in a garden centre considering your hanging basket options though. What the vets lack in pace or stamina they do make up for in the ability to rehydrate though.

The game was preceded by a great speech from Jim Thompson on behalf of the referees, which once more highlighted the high regard everyone who met Stu held him in, and a minutes applause. The game got underway with the Ramblers enjoying the better early possession. The Sunderland teams pre match yoga had obviously left them too relaxed. As the half went on however the reds got back on to an even footing and started to look threatening, Power being the busier of the two keepers and pulling off a string of impressive saves. Very frustrating …

The Mackems got their noses in front through Holt, after good work by Killen.  The vets equalised with a low effort from Cowper, it may have gone through my legs…

Gendall was pulling out on to the left and causing the Wearsiders problems, whilst at the other end of the pitch nobody heard Colin thank Nigel for playing him at right back up against Harry Howat. Although he may have done a little better if he didn’t start the game thinking Harry was right footed. All over the pitch the vets were looking comfortable in the game and it was played at a very good level. Chasing all these athletes early in the season will hopefully hold us in good stead for the rest of the season.

Half time was all square, still no oranges, we may all have to bring our own just to make it feel right. The second half started well for the boys from the banks of the Wear who raced into a 3-1 lead.  Two goals from Howat surely put it beyond the home side now. My pregame tactics of give it to Howat bearing fruit, Pep must be shitting himself. However, a looping near post header from Cowper kept the game in the balance. The Black Cats (I’m running out of names for Sunderland now), pushed on for a 4th that would kill the game off. Unfortunately, Mornington is in a funk when it comes to finding the back of the net. He was in a different type of funk later on in the day when the festivities moved on to town. It’s a good job you don’t have to wind windows down on cars anymore, and that his vomit carried more force than his far post efforts.

With 5 minutes to go Gendall played a one two with Cowper which left him in a foot race with yours truly.  Surely there was only one outcome, but the nature of the day meant I didn’t kick him up in the air, and a well-placed shot straight at Bagpuss face found the back of the net. 3-3 and penalties were needed to separate the sides.  The record books will say that the Ramblers were the Victors, but it should be noted that of the 5 penalties missed, only one was by a Vet. I don’t like to single people out, so I won’t mention Bob by name.

A lovely speech by Nige lreceiving the trophy capped off the playing side of the day, a great fixture that will be repeated for many years to come. Drinks were taken, some fines were handed out, the reasons becoming more ridiculous as I slipped into an alcohol fuelled haze at the Northern Club. It was then on to town, which was a bit like Woodstock, if you remember it you weren’t really there.

A fantastic game, a fantastic day, to celebrate a fantastic fella.

Well done to all.

Kev Bodey