RIP Nevin Spence

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RIP Nevin Spence who died tonight along with his father and brother in a tragic accident on the family farm in County Down. I can't believe it Nevin was not only a great player but one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet even with his success he had time for everyone. My thoughts are with his family to lose 3 of the family at once is terrible, I wish his sister who is in hospital well too and hope she makes a full recovery. You will never be forgotten

Ozzy3213 wrote:I have posted this on all of the AP clubs fans message boards....



Fellow rugby fans, I come to you all this evening with a plea for something to mark all of our respect and sorrow over the tragic death of Nevin Spence.

I know that there is to be a minutes silence at all games, but the suggestion has been raised that all rugby fans at matches across Britain and Ireland sing the Ulster anthem, Stand Up For The Ulstermen. For those who do not know, this is sung to the tune of the popular song Go West.

It would be a huge show of respect if every clubs fans could do this, and would show Ulster Rugby that the solidarity of the worldwide rugby family is in tact.

I leave this with you and hope that between fans we can try to achieve this for a club that is at this time utterly devastasted.

Thanks

Pete

Pete - thank you so much for doing this.

It is the very least that I can do Rory. Whatever we do will never quite seem enough, but the extended family of those tragically lost deserve to know the high regard that Nevin was certainly held in.

I've had very positive responses so far from fans of Gloucester, Chiefs, Saints and Sale Sharks.

I shall e mail all of the home clubs in the morning to ask for their assistance with this by way of playing the tune after the minutes silence and possible encouraging the fans to sing it via the big screens or even the matchday programs.

This is a shocking and deeply sad tragedy to befall the Spence family and farming community at large. And Nevins passing is a huge loss to Ballynahinch, Ulster and Irish rugby.

But I must say the support and comments from the whole rugby family have been very touching and much appreciated. The 'other' ulster message board has been inundated with fans taking the time to register and post their condolences. And the suggestion that SUFTUM will be sung around the grounds this weekend is incredible. Thank you all for your kind words.

I've spent the afternoon/evening tweeting all the clubs/players I could to try and raise awareness for the efforts to get SUFTUM sung after the minutes silence at all the games this weekend. Hopefully we can manage to get this a UK and Ireland wide thing if not all over Europe! What a tribute to Nevin and his family that would be...

Pete

This is unbelievable. I have no words man.

The Scarlets and the ospreys supporters club are re-tweeting the idea now, Blues are starting to get in on the action too. Really hope we can get all the clubs involved.

I love the idea.

The family funeral is tomorrow.
This is strickly a private affair and I would ask that no supporters turn up however tempted they may be.
Nevin's mother is of a nervous disposition at the best of times and would not appreciate any presence - however well intention.

The time for the rugby community will be Sunday.

The other thing I can see happening is Ruan Pienaer coming back for Sunday - my guess is that he will want to if at all possible

I see the official supporters clubs from Munster and Leinster have encouraged the fans to do it.

Has there been any more details released about Sunday?

The reaction from the whole rugby community on here and everywhere else has been very moving. Some real class shown.

I really hope it brings some comfort to the family at this terrible time.

Rodders details yet to be released - but it will be at 3pm at Ravenhill.
My guess is some of the other guys in the team who are committed Christians will lead the service - Muller, Trimble, Marshall, Pienaer? etc

Statement from Ulster Rugby Captain, Johann Muller, on the Spence Family Tragedy

On behalf of the entire Ulster Rugby squad, I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathy to the Spence family at this time.

Nevin’s loss will be felt deeply by us all. We are equally saddened by the tragic deaths of his father Noel and his brother Graham. The thoughts of every member of the squad are with Nevin’s mother Essie, and his sisters Emma and Laura. We would also like to pass on our condolences to Graham’s wife and children. We wish Emma a full and speedy recovery.

Nevin Spence was a highly skilful and gifted rugby player. He was utterly committed to Ulster and was enormously proud to represent his Province. He was determined to be the best that he could be and I have no doubt that he would have gone on to play for Ireland on many occasions. He was the kind of player that inspired others with his attitude in training and sheer will to win in matches.

His positive outlook on life brought a smile to people’s faces. He was kind, polite, generous and courageous, and we were blessed to have him in our team. The one comfort for us as a squad is that we have each other for support. It has been a difficult time for the players and coaches but I believe that through this tragic loss, we will have a new sense of togetherness.

I and the rest of the Ulster Rugby squad would like to thank the many people who have sent messages of support to the club, not only from within the Province, but throughout Ireland, Europe and the world. It is clear from these messages that Nevin was highly regarded by players and fans of many different sports, in many different countries.

I would like to thank the organising committee of the RaboDirect PRO12 for postponing this weekend’s game with Zebre and for allowing us the space and time to begin to come to terms with Nevin’s loss.

In the coming weeks, the Ulster Rugby team will return to the pitch. Over the course of the rest of this year and in future seasons we will experience wins and we will no doubt suffer defeats. Players will move on or retire and new players will come in and represent the Province. But going forward, at Ulster Rugby, one thing will never change. As long as this great club exists, the person and the player, Nevin Spence, will never be forgotten.

Lovely statement from Muller. Thanks for posting clive.

clivemcl wrote:
In the coming weeks, the Ulster Rugby team will return to the pitch. Over the course of the rest of this year and in future seasons we will experience wins and we will no doubt suffer defeats. Players will move on or retire and new players will come in and represent the Province. But going forward, at Ulster Rugby, one thing will never change. As long as this great club exists, the person and the player, Nevin Spence, will never be forgotten.

That last paragraph is brilliant from Johann. Sums up the feelings of everyone connected to Ulster Rugby and to the Spences... Thank you Johann...

Seconded.

Massive touch of class from Muller and Ulster!

Sometimes when you read press releases with comments attributed to people, you know that they have not said or written them, that it has all been done for them. Reading Mullers comments it is clearly not the case here. Ulster Rugby's adopted son will be a credit to the club and province in the coming months and will lead them through this adversity, of that I have no doubt.

The Boss wrote:Massive touch of class from Muller and Ulster!

+1

Massive respect to Muller for that touching and heart felt sentiment.

I imagine it must be difficult for Anscombe right now. Being so new, he might be unsure as to how to react / get involved with the grieving of the players. He might just sit back and let them be for a while. Its hard to know just how much of a relationship Anscombe has built with the players and indeed had built with Nevin before the tragedy.

Johann Muller is a wonderful man. I feel glad that a man like that is part of our squad, especially for the younger players who must be suffering a lot right now.

The next game at Ravenhill is going to be very emotional.

My impression is he had built an excellent and very positive relationship with the players.

They, as a group, seem a much more together and enthusiastic group than last. Less fear of failure around the place.

As I mentioned above I think the senior guys, who are also fellow practising Christians, like Muller, Marshall, Trimble will play a big part in the coming days.

The group that it seems to have hit the hardest are the young kids who came up through the ranks with him. You might seem a selection against Cardiff that reflects that.

Very true clive, which puts even more on the broad shoulders of Johann Muller to pull the guys through this. I am not religious myself, but I would imagine that his faith is helping him and will guide him as he seeks to help his players.

I hope, and I have no doubt it will be, that come the next round of matches, the minutes silence is perfectly observed by all. There is massive support across the country for the signing of SUFTUM immediately after the minutes silence. I have e mailed all of the home AP clubs today to see if they can assist with puttin gsomething in the matchday program or up on the big screens.

I hadn't planned on going to the Munster match on Saturday due to a family party at 9pm I have to attend but I am considering just going to the game and only staying for the moments silence and SUFTU

A lovely touch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5mmSJ34rWQ&feature=youtu.be

You're a class act stag

If there is a man to lead Ulster, especially the young guys, through these difficult days then it is Muller.

I see the Munster forum has changed its banner from Red to Black - touch of class.

The Irish official webpage on the other hand has a prominent picture of Heaslip and Spence is mentioned in a list of numerous articles - a total lack of class. Poor show.

Folks

I know that there is a book of condolence at Ravenhill, but many will never be able to sign it. Would anybody here have any objection to me e mailing or tweeting this thread to Ulster Rugby towards the end of the week, in order that if they so wish, peoples comments here can be added to the book?

As long as you correct me spellinses, I'd be okay with that .

But if so, let's keep it dignified throughout, ok - no point in throwing 'lack of class' at the topic. Sites are simply people doing a job - oversight might be a suggestion but I think everyone at Irish Rugby is a humanbeing and will be thinking about the accident every bit as much as people here and elsewhere who don't avail of websites or forums at all.

Let's not turn bereavment into a competition.

Shouldn't be an issue. Even if somebody did have an issue, this is a public forum. You can 'quote' anything from it.

Good idea.

SecretFly wrote:Let's not turn bereavment into a competition.

Here here

SecretFly wrote:As long as you correct me spellinses, I'd be okay with that .

But if so, let's keep it dignified throughout, ok - no point in throwing 'lack of class' at the topic. Sites are simply people doing a job - oversight might be a suggestion but I think everyone at Irish Rugby is a humanbeing and will be thinking about the accident every bit as much as people here and elsewhere who don't avail of websites or forums at all.

Let's not turn bereavment into a competition.

+1

red_stag wrote:

SecretFly wrote:Let's not turn bereavment into a competition.

Here here

Absolutely agree.

red_stag wrote:A lovely touch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5mmSJ34rWQ&feature=youtu.be

I reckon that's notch


This page has shown just how wonderful rugby supporters can be, its heartwarming to read.

I was just saying last night that I saw Nevs try against Bath again yesterday, still makes me smile every time I see it. How on earth he manages to flip on his head like that ill never know.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YsLXvgDoj0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Just wanted to add my X on this thread to the many who have already done so and the more I'm sure will afterwards.

RIP and deepest condolences to the family.

OZZY - I don't have a problem with my comments being repeated. I'm sure other clubs have posted stuff too, but the Ospreys posted this on their FB page last Sunday:

Tragic news from Ulster about Nevin Spence and family. Our thoughts are with the rest of the Spence family and everybody at Ulster Rugby at this sad time.

The idea about singing SUFTUM has been positively received by O's fans on the page too it seems.

Deeply saddened by the horrific news. Thoughts and prayers are with his family.

What a talent coming through, destined to be given a shot soon enough with D'arcy gettign older all the time. A talent gone much too young.

I don't post much but am deeply saddened by the death of NevinSpence, his father, Noel, and brother, Graham. Thankfully his sister has recovered. I remember seeing a spot about Nevin and his sister on BBC at half time during a game last season and thinking that they were very down to earth, funny people.

I am not a religious person but i would like to offer my sincere condolences, and those of my family, to the 4 women and 2 children who have been been left without a husband, son, brother and uncle.

I hope the prayers been offered, support of family and friends can be of some comfort in what is a terrible time.

Rava sent you a PM

Apparantly Nagusa is coming back to pay his respect - they were close while he was here.

geoff998rugby wrote:Apparantly Nagusa is coming back to pay his respect - they were close while he was here.

He flew in yesterday, seems to be taking it pretty bad (as I'm sure all the players are)

geoff998rugby wrote:Apparantly Nagusa is coming back to pay his respect - they were close while he was here.

I'd imagine Ian Humprheys and Ian Whitten are surely flying back. From a Munster point of view I'd be astounded to see Sean Dougall and BJ Botha anywhere near playing this weekend.

Taken from the IRFU website:

Ulster Rugby will hold a memorial service at Ravenhill this Sunday at 3pm to give the rugby community an opportunity to pay their respects to the late Nevin Spence.

Having spoken with the family it was felt appropriate to offer the wider community in Ulster an opportunity to celebrate the life of Nevin Spence, a much-loved member of the Ulster squad.
A book of condolence will be open on Sunday for those wishing to leave expressions of sympathy.

The gates of Ravenhill rugby ground will be open from 2pm on Sunday, but no parking will be available inside the stadium.

Ulster Rugby would ask those wishing to attend to be mindful of local residents and to avoid parking in the immediate vicinity of the grounds.

Complimentary Park 'n' Ride facilities are located at Pirrie Park on the Ravenhill side of the ground, and along Montgomery Road on the Mount Merrion side.

Spence Funeral Arrangements: There will be a thanksgiving service on Wednesday for Noel, Graham and Nevin Spence at Ballynahinch Baptist Church on Lisburn Road at 2pm.

A car park has been set up at Langley Road playing fields close to the church, this can be accessed from the Magheraknock Road, Please follow the signs which will direct you towards the church.

The High School, Ballynahinch pitches will be available for parking from 11.30am, and parking will also be available throughout the town at various car parks.

Please note that Ballynahinch Baptist Church car park will be unavailable at this time. All cars are to park at the car park provided.

In light of the expected large turnout for the Spence family funeral on Wednesday, Ballynahinch RFC will be opening their club at 4pm, after the committal.

The Ballynahinch RFC President, Chairman and Club Council would like to extend an invite to the rugby fraternity and wider sporting community to join them in the clubhouse for light refreshments, once the funeral proceedings have concluded.

Thanks for the information Rava - I thought there'd be something on here.

I had stopped posting on here, but want to add my message of sympathy to the Spence family who will have to find the strength to carry on through this and somehow pick up the pieces. These Ulsterwomen will look back and always remember who stood up for them at the time when they were knocked flat. The solidarity shown by the Ulster community in standing up to this tragedy whether it be from farming, rugby or church circles is a testament to the stature of the men who have died. They were true Ulstermen and I for one will be standing up in their memory.

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:I've spent the afternoon/evening tweeting all the clubs/players I could to try and raise awareness for the efforts to get SUFTUM sung after the minutes silence at all the games this weekend. Hopefully we can manage to get this a UK and Ireland wide thing if not all over Europe! What a tribute to Nevin and his family that would be...

I've mentioned the idea to a few people at the England kit launch, there seems to be some good awareness. For those on Twitter, the hash tag #singforspences is trending.

Report from the funeral service,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19647549

I just listened to Emma's tribute attached to that link. I'm not ashamed to say it made me cry. Heart-rending.

Great tribute from Emma. Wonderful to hear that so many people turned out.

Sounded like such a lovely family. RIP to all.

I just hope that the remaining Spence family can take something positive away from the outstanding number of people that turned out to show their support. They were obviously well-loved.

bluestonevedder wrote:Great tribute from Emma. Wonderful to hear that so many people turned out.

Sounded like such a lovely family. RIP to all.

I just hope that the remaining Spence family can take something positive away from the outstanding number of people that turned out to show their support. They were obviously well-loved.

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