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

That's a lovely tribute from Emma, and I really admire her courage for doing it. Her mum and sister must be so proud of her. I was looking through so photographs of the funeral, and it's heart warming to see those who turned out.

I think Emma Spence's speech is a true mark of what that family is like. Even in what I can only imagine are real depths of sadness and mourning she gave an such a fitting tribute to her father and brothers.
The real sense of what they were like as people I thought were also expressed by Rory McIlroy and Edwin Poots on the Nolan Show today. I don't like Poots' politics but his emotions as a family friend and a neighbouring farmer I thought really put this tragedy in perspective. In the coming weeks no doubt this board will move on to its usual fair of provincial infighting, Kidney slamming and selection dilemmas. It is up to us as fans to ensure he is never forgotten.

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote: It is up to us as fans to ensure he is never forgotten.

Well said Hook. Stunningly beautiful tribute from Emma. It must have took incredible courage to make that speech.

A very emotional and moving interview from Poots. The story is so heartbreaking but it shows how caring and heroic the whole family were, including Emma who entered the slurry pit twice to try and save her father and brothers.

My heart goes out to them all.

Is anyone else going on Sunday? Does anyone know what sort of format the service will take?

As trivial as it seems, does anyone know if the memorial is a ulster shirt wearing affair or a shirt and tie wearing affair?

Clive not trivial at all. I would think it will be a matter for the individual to wear what he feels appropriate. As it's a memorial service for Nevin I would be surprised if we didn't see a "sea" of white and red throughout the ground.

I think I'm just going to wear my jersey Clive unless I hear anything different in terms of the format of the service.

I believe the book of condolence will be available too, not sure if it is on Saturday?

Kyle Alexander, an ex-Ulster physio just posted this on facebook. Very apt.

"in life they were loved and admired,
and in death they were not parted.
They were swifter than eagles,
they were stronger than lions. (2 Samuel 1:23)

Just to let everyone here know I have e mailed this thread to Ulster Rugby. This is what I have said...

Good morning

I would just like to offer sincere condolences for the loss of Nevin Spence and his family from myself and all at the v2journal and 606v2 forum. No words can really make a difference at a time like this but many of our members have offered their sympathy online and I am forwarding a link to their comments to you in the hope that it may offer some comfort to some people associated with Ulster Rugby.

https://www.606v2.com/t34971-rip-nevin-spence

At the v2journal we record a weekly rugby podcast and this weeks contains a tribute to Nevin - http://www.v2journal.com/the-breakdown-v2-rugby-podcast-19-september-2012.html

I, and all associated with v2 wish you all the luck and strength in the world moving forwards from this terrible tragedy. The rugby world is standing up with you right now and will continue to do so for as long as you as you need us to.


SUFTUM

Pete

Cracking email Pete, nice one

Thanks for doing that also. It's great to know that all of our comments here are not just lost to the depths of the internet, but actually have a chance of making a difference, perhaps just only in some very small way.

bluestonevedder wrote:Cracking email Pete, nice one

Thanks for doing that also. It's great to know that all of our comments here are not just lost to the depths of the internet, but actually have a chance of making a difference, perhaps just only in some very small way.

+1

+ 2

Nice one Pete, I'm sure the support from the various rugby fans on here will be appreciated and show how widely the feeling of loss is felt.

Can anyone let me know if there is any dress code for the service at Ravenhill on sunday as I really want to make it but don't want to offend by turning up in an Ulster shirt.

Pete - Ulster shirt over "respectable" clothes? Take off your Ulster shirt if it seems inappropriate.

However, as this is an Ulster Rugby Memorial Servcie, I would have thought a club shirt would be particularly appropriate.

Pete, I have just returned from Ravenhill where I spoke to the staff in the Ticket Office.
There isn't a specific dress code and people are encouraged to attend in whatever form of dress they feel is appropriate.
I will be wearing my Ulster shirt as will those travelling with me.

Good man Rava thanks.

Thanks Rava and Kia.

It's going to be an emotional trip to Ravers for sure.

Ozzy that's brilliant thank you.

I'm going to be wearing my Ulster jersey tomorrow night at the Warriors game, probably even under the mascot kit, and I'll be singing SUFTUM as loud as I can. Don't even care if the kids hear their mascot singing in an Ulster brogue... It'll be emotional and it won't even be an Ulster match...

Oz - thanks for passing on the comments from here.

Next Friday it's dress down day in work, and also Ulster are playing the Blues in Cardiff. I've got a black & white Irish rugby shirt which I'm going to wear all day and to the game afterwards.

After reading the above posts, I am assured af one thing, From 10,000 miles away I can tell that there aint much wrong with the rugby family family in Ireland.

Cari wrote:I'm taking this quote from a post made by WillyGilly on another thread earlier. I really didn't know what words I could offer myself, but Willy summed it up for me thus:

Words are completely incapable of providing any comfort in the wake of such a huge tragedy but I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say our thoughts and prayers are with his mum, sister and nephew. Nevin, Noel and Graeme, you're in gods hands now. God bless.

If God has hands like Nevin did then i reckon they are playing touch right now. In circumstances such as these there are no words but for me i think that these guys loved each other and died together trying to save each other, heroes all of them.

Awh lovely tribute to Nevin at the West Wales derby. A lovely speech followed by an impeccably observed minute silence and you could hear a few singing SUFTUM.

Thank you Scarlets and Ospreys. Fantastic tribute from the announcer and the silence impeccably observed.

Watching it on tv impeccable silence, and a great rendition of Stand up for the ulstermen. Very emotional.

Rava wrote:Thank you Scarlets and Ospreys. Fantastic tribute from the announcer and the silence impeccably observed.

+1

...and in true derby fashion, there was a fight in the first two minutes afterwards - business as usual!

The commentator summed it up well when he described it as "the brotherhood of Rugby Union." Really nice tribute to Spence, looking forward to seeing more over the weekend.

http://www.uafc.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15085

Tommy Bowe ‏@TommyBowe14
Amazing to hear Stand up for the Ulster Man sung at the Ospreys v Scarlets game. A massive tribute to Nev. #RugbyFamily
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Premiership Rugby ‏@premrugby
Every game will feature a minutes' silence, for Ulster's Nevin Spence. Look up #singforspences too... We are all one big #rugby family.
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The men and women of Leinster have shown their class at RDS.
Thanks

Rava wrote:The men and women of Leinster have shown their class at RDS.
Thanks

+ 1

Very moving stuff .

Impeccable observance of the minutes silence at Thomond Park. Couldn't help but think that most of the Munster players would have been talking to Nevin Spence just last Friday.
Cheers guys.

The sympathy and respect thats been given to the Spence family and everyone associated to Ulster rugby has been astounding.. !
Never in my life have I heard supporters across Britain and Ireland sing the song of another club as a tribute. It's a truly remarkable demonstration of solidarity, sympathy and respect.
As an Ulster supporter, it's very humbling and emotional.

The ethics and values found in rugby are an example to the world and sport.

#SUFTUM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oULCP5rIkl8&feature=youtu.be

Here is a link to the tribute Rory Best payed to Nevin Spence at the memorial service this afternoon.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/19695048

Until this past week I hadn't been on this board for quite some time as I tired of the infighting and WUMming amongst Irish fans on this and that, and selections and non selections and the coaches and whatever else. The reaction of posters has shown me that maybe I shouldn't be so quick to judge. I don't know how many of you guys (and girls) went to Ravenhill for the memorial, but sitting there I just thought to myself "I don't think I'll be back for a while". I can't put my finger on the reason why. I know a couple of the guys very well, but i never met Nevin at all. I am profoundly sorry for his mother and family, but I don't think that it has had any great affect on me bar said sadness for his family. What I am saying is this isn't a princess Diana moment or anything like that. I just feel like my enthusiasm has gone and I don't know why. I'm sure it will come back in a few weeks, but right now I have to admit I have almost zero interest in rugby. I wonder if anyone else feels the same way?

H&H,

I do indeed know what you mean.

But think of it this way. For the next few weeks, months, maybe even the rest of this season going to Ravenhill will not be all about the rugby. It will be about getting behind those lads who have lost more than us. They will need our support now more than they ever have in the past.

They really have no choice other than to carry on. It's their job and I'm guessing it is exactly what Nevin and his family would expect of them. I feel our job as fans is to get behind them more than ever and help them through this terrible time. The last thing they need is to be going out there in front of empty stands.

I don't get to Ravenhill too often as MrP goes with our son while I sort the girls out but I really want to make the effort to get there for the next home game just to support the lads.

Understand what you mean though but that's how I feel.

Mrs P - well said.

I too had lost interest in rugby at the beginning, as the whole incident just put everything into perspective. Rugby is simply a game. However, it has ran a lot deeper than simply being a game, that is one thing I have noticed. The rugby community has been extraordinary in its support. It will never undo the tragedy that has fallen upon the Spence family, however every single ounce of support they get will surely help them through this terrible time.

I think that perhaps for Nevin (not that i knew him), if he had had the fore-sight of his death would have hoped for two positive outcomes.

a) That thousands of people whould hear about the faith he had and that
b) His beloved team would be spurred on to greatness in memory of him

I hope that doesnt come across badly or anything.

Will Ulster suffer because of this? In a way, I think if it were just a job, they would continue fairly normally. I think though, for most of these guys it isn't just a job. It is a shared ethos, a dream of which each of them had part ownership. One of their dreamers is now gone.

It don't see it being business as usual. It will either be spurred on in his memory, or be stunted grief. I think we all know which reaction Spence would have wanted to see from his team mates and his supporters.

In saying that, If we don't set the world alight, I will certainly not be as bothered about it as i would have been a few weeks ago, nor would i blame the players one bit.

Clive, Mrs P & Rory,

Good replies, glad to know there are people thinking the same things as me. Don't get me wring, I'm not having any sort of existential crisis about 'life' or whatever else. I feel slightly ashamed of myself in a way- the whole club and I think the province and rugby community in the UK and Ireland and beyond have come together in a remarkable way. Then I am sitting thinking 'do I really want to go and watch'. If you asked me to explain I can't. I didn't know Nevin Spence, and though I am truly sad, I think its a sadness borne of empathy for his family and imagining quite how I would ever be able to cope if something like that ever happened to me.

I know I will most likely be back at Ravenhill the next home match. They very fact I don't even know when or who it is against is telling about my interest levels, which as you guys have pointed out, will be doubt pick up again as my hamstrings and quads take a pounding standing up for the Ulstermen. I think I just don't care about results. I don't think I care one way or another if we win everything in sight or lose the rest of our fixtures.

H&H,

Totally agree about results holding little interest just now. I just want the team to know we are there supporting them in their efforts.

The next game will be a funny one. I'll find it hard to be critical of the team in any way. Just getting back to it and playing and enjoying rugby is the goal for the players. Then it's home versus Connacht, which will be emotional.

I want us to win both games, I know Nevin and family would have too. But under the circumstances it will be difficult for the players and I really don't know what to expect. Will support them unconditionally.

I hope the service on Sunday will have provided closure for the players and they can re-focus on their rugby. It might take a bit more time that that though. Grieving is a very personal process, it takes however long it takes.

Its going to be strange indeed Notch. For how long will we continue to excuse* players (if indeed games don't go our way), what if we have players who just are below par for general reasons, do we bite our tongues in case we offend? Do we just right off the season? and then start questioning performances next September?

I reckon our feelings will all get sorted out once we start watching them play again. I hope playing will have the same affect on players. Nobody wants to say it, because it seem callous. But sometimes the best way to get on with it is to get on with it.

Here I am talking about it in terms of fans discussing performances. There's a man with a really tricky situation on his hands. Mark Anscombe. Don't envy him one bit.

*I even felt guilty as i typed that

Folks, this thread was set up as a tribute almost to Nevin, and there have been some wonderful comments posted, showing the rugby family is still alive and kicking.

Now that the dust has settled, discussion here has turned to the future, and how Ulster may fare going forwards. That being the case I am going to lock the thread, in order that it remain a tribute as opposed to general discussion, and ask that should you wish to discuss the future of Ulster in light of what has happened, that you open a new thread on wish to do so.

Kind regards

Ozzy