Popular Post Olé Posted May 20, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted May 20, 2022 Martin was beyond all of us. He followed City home and away for more than 50 years while living in South London. He was so positive and brought City fans together at away games all over the country. I spent hours with him on trains and night buses. He loved his friends and family and was chatting to me during 99% of my abysmal match reports. The best City fan ever. 33 5 10 89 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Posted May 20, 2022 Report Share Posted May 20, 2022 RIP Tinners. Such sad news. Was a lovely bloke and City through and through. ️ 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pillred Posted May 20, 2022 Report Share Posted May 20, 2022 (edited) Well I didn't know him personally but I can tell by your reaction what he meant to you and he sounded a good and loyal city fan and friend to you and for that I'm sorry he has gone and hope if their is an afterlife he is up their with like minded people and one day we all meet again like on here and have a good chat about city and life in general. RIP Martin. Edited May 20, 2022 by pillred Add comment 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original OTIB Posted May 20, 2022 Report Share Posted May 20, 2022 35 minutes ago, Olé said: Martin was beyond all of us. He followed City home and away for more than 50 years while living in South London. He was so positive and brought City fans together at away games all over the country. I spent hours with him on trains and night buses. He loved his friends and family and was chatting to me during 99% of my abysmal match reports. The best City fan ever. The best of us. A gentleman. A beautiful soul, City to his core. God bless dear friend. 3 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allyolly Posted May 20, 2022 Report Share Posted May 20, 2022 Martin is one of a kind and I feel privileged to have known him. His knowledge and passion for our club is beyond anything I have experienced. Legends are frequently spoken about on the pitch. Today we respect and honour the memory of a true legend off the pitch and a friend to so many of us. 9 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RoystonFoote'snephew Posted May 20, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted May 20, 2022 I first met Martin in 1976 when I joined the London Branch and immediately struck up a rapport. It was hard not to as he has to be one of the most friendly individuals it was ever my privilege to meet. We shared a passion for City and Real Ale and enjoyed countless trips watching games. I fondly remember our days in Division 4 at such wonderful venues as the Shay (Halifax), Spotland (Rochdale), Victoria Ground (Hartlepool), Feethams (Darlington) and especially Bootham Crescent (York). In each City/Town we found a wonderful pub recommended by CAMRA and additionally in York we were part of the London Branch party that contributed to the upkeep of the Minster and I have a scroll to show for it. We shared a belief that City's best ever centre half was Jack Connor and the most skilful man to wear a City shirt was Jantzen Derrick. As a result of his friendship and guidance in the early 80s I became Chairman of the London Branch, a post he had previously held. A tenacious midfielder we played both 11 aside sand 5 aside football together and his encyclopaedic knowledge of football was invaluable in the APFSCIL quiz league. Despite living in South London, this Filton boy rarely missed a game home or away and it will be very strange next season without his presence. Rest in Peace Tinners. Prayers with love to all family and friends. 37 2 28 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledAjax Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 (edited) Rest in Peace. What a hero, and a fascinating man to spend time with. I met him just once, at an away game and he was interesting, accommodating, and incredibly generous with both his time and his knowledge. Plus he was so clearly City to his core. My thoughts are with those who knew him better than I. Edited May 21, 2022 by ExiledAjax 3 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin phantom Posted May 21, 2022 Admin Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 Has to be one of the nicest people that I got to know watching City over the years, was very knowledge about the club but always had time to say hello and share a pint Will be greatly missed RIP 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
italian dave Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 I never knew him well or even by name but just from that photo I can remember chatting to him on don’t know how many occasions over the years at away games. Always just a really nice guy. And I think I must have known him forty-ish years ago when I was involved with the London branch. RIP. Condolences to family and friends, not least Rob who clearly knew him well. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Isewater Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. He will be sorely missed. RIP 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Robin Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 7 hours ago, Olé said: Martin was beyond all of us. He followed City home and away for more than 50 years while living in South London. He was so positive and brought City fans together at away games all over the country. I spent hours with him on trains and night buses. He loved his friends and family and was chatting to me during 99% of my abysmal match reports. The best City fan ever. A genuinely smashing bloke and City through and through! Really sad. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BTRFTG Posted May 21, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 As RoystonFoote'sNephew so eloquently writes, since the early 80s come Tuesday or Saturday and wherever City were playing you'd find Martin (aka 'Double Ex') in the best 'proper' boozer in town and other side of the turnstile as soon as entering the ground. Forget where City were in the league, forget recent performances, forget distance, weather or any other variables - Martin was a standing fixture. If there were only 50 men and a dog in attendance Martin was one of them. Too many London Branch jaunts to recall, none bettered than in his company - who else might recall the buying and selling club for that nameless full back City signed in late 63 (or was it 64,) balding, played twice, one-footed? Martin, the ubiquitous settler of mysteries and arguments. As the years pass it'll be strange next season that yet another of the perennial stalwarts won't be there to bump into for a chat, reminisce and 'glass half full' halftime assessment as to how City were going to turn round that dire first half performance. Ever the optimist Martin, always saw the best when sometimes best there was none. That was his nature, his enthusiasm. Condolences to Carole & the boys. 15 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattredrobin Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 RIP fellow red thoughts are with his family and friends. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Vespa Red Posted May 21, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 I cannot convey how sad I was to have heard this yesterday evening. Like many, I first met Martin whilst living in London in the 80s. He found out that I'd gone to his school (QEH although 10 years apart), knew his cousin (Dave Perkins - German teacher and ex-Bristol scrum half) and that was always the opener in any conversation we had. When the boys came along (I have 3) and I started taking them to games, Martin would always engage them in conversation and seek their opinions like they were adults. Their sadness at this news was just as deep last night when they passed the news on to me. Every home game, in the Orchard or under the South Stand, we'd chat and if we didn't, one of the boys would say "didn't see Martin today". When we moved to Wales, the conversation was invariably about how he had family in the Rhondda. I know that I am dealing with my own grief at the moment, but when I heard this (at a 60s reggae night in Cardiff), I had to step out of the pub and I cried. A lovely man. A truly lovely man. 23 3 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antman Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 a dapper gent. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carey 6 Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 Genuinely gutted to hear the news yesterday, was one of the nicest blokes you could ever meet. Hardly missed a game and that was seriously impressive considering he lived in Wimbledon. Must’ve went to half the grounds in the UK along with him & Chimo who you’d usually see him at every ground with. I said to a friend he knew every town and city in the UK like the back of his hand, to which he replied ‘and a good pub in each of them’ RIP my friend. I know his brother Sean reads this forum, and although I know he realises how much of a top man Tinners was, he will see the love a lot of others have for him even if they’ve only met him once or twice. 7 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garland-sweden Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 RIP fellow red. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledAjax Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 (edited) Just remembered @Olé @Shtanley @petehinton, Tinners was once an exceptional guest on OSIB. I cannot for the life of me remember the episode, but I'd love to listen again in his memory. A few others might like to listen as well maybe? Could you kindly post the link or episode number if you have it? Edit: found it! Episode 87 "Double-Dipping Disappointment". Edited May 21, 2022 by ExiledAjax 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basshead Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 Will be missed by many. R.i.p Martin and condolences to all the family 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidercity Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 RIP Martin, will miss our weekends at Forest. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 This is so sad, what struck me about him was his relentless positivity, both for the club but also the experience of being a supporter. I knew the face but having stopped going away years ago my major interaction with him was on Twitter where his views were as you would suspect, well thought through & always constructive. RIP. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original OTIB Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 9 hours ago, Olé said: Martin was beyond all of us. He followed City home and away for more than 50 years while living in South London. He was so positive and brought City fans together at away games all over the country. I spent hours with him on trains and night buses. He loved his friends and family and was chatting to me during 99% of my abysmal match reports. The best City fan ever. Any news on funeral date Rob? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wealwayseatcheese Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 (edited) An absolute diamond of a person . You won’t find better. Always got a nod or a wink when away from home and always willing to chat. Such sad news . RIP Martin. Edited May 21, 2022 by Wealwayseatcheese 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weepywall Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 Didn't know him but recognise the face, obviously had a big impact on a lot of people, condolences to family and friends. RIP. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
O'Garlandinho Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 40 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said: Just remembered @Olé @Shtanley @petehinton, Tinners was once an exceptional guest on OSIB. I cannot for the life of me remember the episode, but I'd love to listen again in his memory. A few others might like to listen as well maybe? Could you kindly post the link or episode number if you have it? Edit: found it! Episode 87 "Double-Dipping Disappointment". Episode 87, thankful to the podcast for being able to hear his voice and sense of humour. Lovely last minute of him signing off sums up how he felt about our club. 1 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petehinton Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 39 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said: Just remembered @Olé @Shtanley @petehinton, Tinners was once an exceptional guest on OSIB. I cannot for the life of me remember the episode, but I'd love to listen again in his memory. A few others might like to listen as well maybe? Could you kindly post the link or episode number if you have it? https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/one-stream-in-bristol/id1296647791?i=1000461565235 Here it is. Was the best osib ep before, and definitely is now! Hopefully those closer to him than I was will be able to find comfort in being able to dip into this and hear his voice whenever they need to. Only had the pleasure of meeting him a handful of times, namely at some random away game or in the concourse for a quick chat, can only echo what has been said above. Always so much more interested in how things were going in your life, than ever ‘troubling’ you by speaking about himself. I never thought anyone would be interested to hear about the times I used to do circuit training with Glyn Riley as teen. How wrong I was. RIP mate 3 5 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweeneys Penalties Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 Didn't know him, never spoke to him but RIP fellow Red. I must admit when I saw the photo I thought for a fleeting second I was looking at Keith Fear 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphindevon Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 One of the best things about being a proper football fan is on away days you see the same familiar faces over the decades that make following your club feel like a 2nd family. In some cases a first family. Tinners was one of those faces that when you saw him in some grim northern town, you immediately felt good because you were amongst family. It’s sad when those longstanding familiar faces reduce over the years. RIP 5 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Olé Posted May 21, 2022 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 What is so beautiful about everyone's comments is they convey the same warmth and outgoing nature that those of us who were lucky enough to meet him all recognise so well. On every single train I shared with him he'd quickly strike up conversation with all those around him and instantly engage on their interests and background not his. He was selfless like that. In recent years on GWR - BTM to PAD I'd be waiting for the trolley to buy us some drinks, he would be waiting because he was curious on the background of a member of staff and to speak with warmth about where they were from or even because he'd been there. "Oh you're from Cameroon originally, how amazing, do you know x, what's interesting about the country is y" etc etc. I've seen more of the world through Tinners stories than I will ever see for real. My most vivid memory of him but that sums him up best is sharing the 00:52 night bus Paddington to New Cross Gate after the last train back from many home midweek games (he would depart somewhere in deepest South London for a change of bus to Wimbledon). 45 minutes together at gone 1am on a bus with all the waifs and the strays and on a work night - cleaners, shift workers, night owls all around us from the four corners of the globe (as is the way in London) and by the time I was in Peckham he would have struck up conversation with the South American guy behind me, established that the teenager at the far end of the upper deck had an uncle who used to play for Sheffield Wednesday, and explained to the rest of the bus about the finer details of a City performance in 1959. He was outgoing and connected people. @ExiledAjax I remember the Blackburn game where we drank together in the Old Vic in Preston afterwards. As is his way with all the people he meets and engages along the way, once you'd gone your separate way he spoke with a genuine warmth about you as he does many people "what a smart guy he was". He didn't suffer fools and hated moaners - but if you engaged his brain he had all the time in the world for you. Others have known him for a lot longer than I have but he is a fixture week in week out for those of us travel from the South East which I've spent the best part of ten years now doing. He connected many of us too. I sent flowers to his wife last night and hoping to meet @allyolly later to raise a glass. 25 1 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledAjax Posted May 21, 2022 Report Share Posted May 21, 2022 5 minutes ago, Olé said: @ExiledAjax I remember the Blackburn game where we drank together in the Old Vic in Preston afterwards. As is his way with all the people he meets and engages along the way, once you'd gone your separate way he spoke with a genuine warmth about you as he does many people "what a smart guy he was". I like him even more then! When a man of Martin's calibre likes you then you know you're doing something right. That was my last City game before moving abroad 3 years ago. I was nervous about the move, and honestly Tinners (and yourself) had no need to take me under your wings for the day. But you did, and you both did so in good grace. Even cramming into the back of that taxi from The Vic to Ewood Park. One of my very favourite City games, and I suspect it always will be. I'm back in the UK now, and look forward to toasting Martin's memory at a game some time soon. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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