Bradford City fan torn by dual loyalty to his mum (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Bradford City fan torn by dual loyalty to his mum
7:00am Thursday 7th February 2013 in Sport
By Hannah Postles, T&A Reporter
Lifelong City fan Andy Nichols with his mum Alison Page together at a function in Bradford
Football was once famously described by the legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly as being more important than life or death.
And the importance of the beautiful game has now hit home to a Bantams’ fan in Australia, who is facing the dilemma of choosing between football and family.
Life-long supporter Andy Nichols, 27, wants to fly from Sydney for City’s Capital One Cup final against Swansea at Wembley ...and for his mother’s wedding in Bradford in June.
But he cannot afford both.
His mum Alison Page, 43, last night told the Telegraph & Argus how, while she would love her only son to be at her wedding to partner Mark Ineson, 36, she would be happy for him to miss the occasion to see Phil Parkinson’s men’s historic final on Sunday, February 24.
“He still hasn’t made his decision,” said the mum-of-one, of Clayton, who is due to get married at the Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford, on Saturday, June 8.
“Obviously I know how much it means to him to go to Wembley but at the same time I’d love him to be at my wedding.
“He can’t afford the flights for both – the trip will cost £1,500 – so I have told him to do the City thing. I know how much of a big deal it is for City fans!”
Mr Nichols moved to Sydney, where he works as a project manager, after travelling around the world two years ago.
He had been a season ticket holder until his move Down Under, supporting City since he was about seven years old, going to games with his grandad Michael Page, 66.
Miss Page said: “He’s been watching the cup games on television at night in Australia and as soon as they got through to the final he spoke to his grandad and said ‘what am I going to do?’ “He then spoke to me. We speak most nights, but he hasn’t made a decision yet.
“His grandad’s bought him a ticket, so he has one waiting for him if he’s coming – if he doesn’t, he’ll give it to someone else.
“Bradford City is one of the things he misses most, so I know it’s a difficult decision for him.
Comments(33)
tornshaunton
says...
8:00am Thu 7 Feb 13
or crying the poor tale, hoping somebody will "donate" ???
getting sick of this sort of stuff - if you can't afford things, you don't get/do them - end of !!
macca1969
says...
8:55am Thu 7 Feb 13
tornshaunton wrote:A wee bit harsh lad, i think the story is just letting people know how football divides us,even on family issues its hard to put city second as even his mum sees. To be honest lots of people will be putting other things on a back burner for wembley ie a mini break with the family,a new car and so on. You sound like a right bitter so and so, as at not one point did anyone infer that they were after any hand out. Crawl back under your rock you tool
news ???????
or crying the poor tale, hoping somebody will "donate" ???
getting sick of this sort of stuff - if you can't afford things, you don't get/do them - end of !!
undercliffebantam
says...
9:04am Thu 7 Feb 13
Dancinfeet
says...
9:20am Thu 7 Feb 13
notpoliticallycorrect
says...
10:20am Thu 7 Feb 13
As it is the lad is trying to do the right thing and hopefully he is fortunate enough to do both.
If only 1 then the Cup final it would be for me !!
KnightMcCall
says...
10:30am Thu 7 Feb 13
Dancinfeet wrote:But the chances of him going to another of his mum's weddings is probably quite high so stick the football.
Chances of city getting to cup final again= slim. Chances of marriage lasting= slimmer. Get to wembley but make sure you make it to the next wedding!
markjoe
says...
10:33am Thu 7 Feb 13
I'm a football fan but family will always come first there is no doubt without that
bigchris221
says...
11:13am Thu 7 Feb 13
Bowers90
says...
11:21am Thu 7 Feb 13
SRS74
says...
12:35pm Thu 7 Feb 13
The footballs on telly, can be recorded for future rememberance.
Patrick Bateman
says...
12:42pm Thu 7 Feb 13
SRS74 wrote:Completely agree. Frankly I think it's shameful that someone would put a match - ANY match - before such an important family event (although clearly, judged by the number of previous comments that say otherwise, I'm in a minority). Messed up priorities if you ask me..
I'm a football fan. But this has got to be a decision in favour of the wedding. It's an important day for your mum and no doubt would want her son there. Her selflessness by accepting a decision for you going to the game, tells you the sort of person she is and deserves your attendance at her wedding.
The footballs on telly, can be recorded for future rememberance.
Ally Page
says...
12:44pm Thu 7 Feb 13
bigchris221 wrote:Hi everyone,
I used to go to school with Andy, he used to thnk he was one of those mini oinment types, I live in Canada and cant afford a flight, i'm a life long city fan and i'm gutted i cant go,
Im Andy's mum & just to set the record straight anyone who knows our family personally knows that we are all hard working tax payers that do not expect anything for nothing.
Andy cannot take time off work for both events & has already had the offer of a paid flight from his family but he is too proud to accept it.
This was supposed to be a light hearted story showing how much football means to fans - as for him thinking he was a mini ointment type.. I dont think so.. he attended city matches with his Grandad not his mates!
Stevie-C
says...
12:48pm Thu 7 Feb 13
Stevie-C
says...
12:51pm Thu 7 Feb 13
macca1969
says...
1:26pm Thu 7 Feb 13
Ally Page wrote:Well said but you don't have to explain yourself to these primates. Hope all goes well and everyone happy at whatever you decide as a family
bigchris221 wrote:Hi everyone,
I used to go to school with Andy, he used to thnk he was one of those mini oinment types, I live in Canada and cant afford a flight, i'm a life long city fan and i'm gutted i cant go,
Im Andy's mum & just to set the record straight anyone who knows our family personally knows that we are all hard working tax payers that do not expect anything for nothing.
Andy cannot take time off work for both events & has already had the offer of a paid flight from his family but he is too proud to accept it.
This was supposed to be a light hearted story showing how much football means to fans - as for him thinking he was a mini ointment type.. I dont think so.. he attended city matches with his Grandad not his mates!
theoutsider
says...
1:28pm Thu 7 Feb 13
SRS74
says...
1:45pm Thu 7 Feb 13
seen it all before
says...
2:33pm Thu 7 Feb 13
moshi7
says...
3:38pm Thu 7 Feb 13
SRS74
says...
5:50pm Thu 7 Feb 13
seen it all before wrote:But you love it. You can't help yourself reading it everyday and leaving comments on posts that interest you. Well done on keeping the viewing figures up.
Stories like this are one of the reasons the T&A will soon be a once a week paper, total tripe
Mrs L Smith
says...
7:11pm Thu 7 Feb 13
tornshaunton wrote:what is the matter with some of you people.????
news ???????
or crying the poor tale, hoping somebody will "donate" ???
getting sick of this sort of stuff - if you can't afford things, you don't get/do them - end of !!
It's meant to be a bit of lighthearted banter between a mother and son who love each other very much. I for one would rather read things like this than the usual daily robberies, stabbings, child abuse andjob loss stories which is the usual daily fodder of the T&A
Not everyone needs to 'cry the poor tale' some people actually work bloody hard for a living you must have a sad life to have such a simile view of everybody :(
Mrs L Smith
says...
7:14pm Thu 7 Feb 13
Mrs L Smith wrote:*Cynical*
tornshaunton wrote:what is the matter with some of you people.????
news ???????
or crying the poor tale, hoping somebody will "donate" ???
getting sick of this sort of stuff - if you can't afford things, you don't get/do them - end of !!
It's meant to be a bit of lighthearted banter between a mother and son who love each other very much. I for one would rather read things like this than the usual daily robberies, stabbings, child abuse andjob loss stories which is the usual daily fodder of the T&A
Not everyone needs to 'cry the poor tale' some people actually work bloody hard for a living you must have a sad life to have such a simile view of everybody :(
tornshaunton
says...
7:12am Fri 8 Feb 13
macca1969 wrote:like i said - is this really a news story ??
tornshaunton wrote: news ??????? or crying the poor tale, hoping somebody will "donate" ??? getting sick of this sort of stuff - if you can't afford things, you don't get/do them - end of !!A wee bit harsh lad, i think the story is just letting people know how football divides us,even on family issues its hard to put city second as even his mum sees. To be honest lots of people will be putting other things on a back burner for wembley ie a mini break with the family,a new car and so on. You sound like a right bitter so and so, as at not one point did anyone infer that they were after any hand out. Crawl back under your rock you tool
& read other comments - others are thinking along the same lines, you bigger tool.
tornshaunton
says...
7:19am Fri 8 Feb 13
Mrs L Smith wrote:my life is very good actually, thanks, but like i said, is this really a news story ??
tornshaunton wrote: news ??????? or crying the poor tale, hoping somebody will "donate" ??? getting sick of this sort of stuff - if you can't afford things, you don't get/do them - end of !!what is the matter with some of you people.???? It's meant to be a bit of lighthearted banter between a mother and son who love each other very much. I for one would rather read things like this than the usual daily robberies, stabbings, child abuse andjob loss stories which is the usual daily fodder of the T&A Not everyone needs to 'cry the poor tale' some people actually work bloody hard for a living you must have a sad life to have such a simile view of everybody :(
the landlady at 2nd West pub at Lidget Green. the guy on Facebook who needs a million likes for his wife to let him go, etc, etc,etc - either do it or don't do it, bt don't ask the world if you can.
this paper stopped running news stories years ago & i stopped buying it - it shys away from the real news stories in the bfd areas & declines comments on most stories except the "light hearted" stuff.
now i need your help - should i get a new pitbull puppy or a pony for my front garden - i can't afford to do both ??
Mrs L Smith
says...
3:48pm Fri 8 Feb 13
tornshaunton wrote:I personal wouldn't know as I don't have either but, to be honest if that had been a genuine question I wouldn't have recommended you get any sort of animal as you don't have enough empathy to care for one.and you probably would depress it to death.
Mrs L Smith wrote:my life is very good actually, thanks, but like i said, is this really a news story ??
tornshaunton wrote: news ??????? or crying the poor tale, hoping somebody will "donate" ??? getting sick of this sort of stuff - if you can't afford things, you don't get/do them - end of !!what is the matter with some of you people.???? It's meant to be a bit of lighthearted banter between a mother and son who love each other very much. I for one would rather read things like this than the usual daily robberies, stabbings, child abuse andjob loss stories which is the usual daily fodder of the T&A Not everyone needs to 'cry the poor tale' some people actually work bloody hard for a living you must have a sad life to have such a simile view of everybody :(
the landlady at 2nd West pub at Lidget Green. the guy on Facebook who needs a million likes for his wife to let him go, etc, etc,etc - either do it or don't do it, bt don't ask the world if you can.
this paper stopped running news stories years ago & i stopped buying it - it shys away from the real news stories in the bfd areas & declines comments on most stories except the "light hearted" stuff.
now i need your help - should i get a new pitbull puppy or a pony for my front garden - i can't afford to do both ??
Couple of points:
As far as i am aware likes on Facebook don't cost anything.
you say you stopped buying the telegraph years ago because it failed you but you happily to read it for free! ?
Maybe you should find a newspaper that's a bit more miserable and full of doom and gloom
I think there's a hit and run of a child,a robbery and maybe a couple of drugs stories on the front page, they should suit you.
Its supposed to be a local paper, either stop reading it or stop bleating about it, it's not like you're paying into it.
spearmint wino
says...
4:56pm Fri 8 Feb 13
I think it's great that he has got out of Bradford and is making a life for himself in the sun on the other side of the world. I am sure when he decided to emigrate he knew there would be things he would miss but who every expected City to get to a Wembly cup final?
bunnybamtam
says...
5:46pm Sat 9 Feb 13
CITY TILL I DIE.....
TirNaNog
says...
1:06am Sun 10 Feb 13
tornshaunton
says...
6:27pm Mon 11 Feb 13
Mrs L Smith wrote:oh, you do waffle on - did you used to stand on a soap box at the side of Fattorini's on a saturday afternoon, with bible in hand ??
tornshaunton wrote:I personal wouldn't know as I don't have either but, to be honest if that had been a genuine question I wouldn't have recommended you get any sort of animal as you don't have enough empathy to care for one.and you probably would depress it to death. Couple of points: As far as i am aware likes on Facebook don't cost anything. you say you stopped buying the telegraph years ago because it failed you but you happily to read it for free! ? Maybe you should find a newspaper that's a bit more miserable and full of doom and gloom I think there's a hit and run of a child,a robbery and maybe a couple of drugs stories on the front page, they should suit you. Its supposed to be a local paper, either stop reading it or stop bleating about it, it's not like you're paying into it.Mrs L Smith wrote:my life is very good actually, thanks, but like i said, is this really a news story ?? the landlady at 2nd West pub at Lidget Green. the guy on Facebook who needs a million likes for his wife to let him go, etc, etc,etc - either do it or don't do it, bt don't ask the world if you can. this paper stopped running news stories years ago & i stopped buying it - it shys away from the real news stories in the bfd areas & declines comments on most stories except the "light hearted" stuff. now i need your help - should i get a new pitbull puppy or a pony for my front garden - i can't afford to do both ??tornshaunton wrote: news ??????? or crying the poor tale, hoping somebody will "donate" ??? getting sick of this sort of stuff - if you can't afford things, you don't get/do them - end of !!what is the matter with some of you people.???? It's meant to be a bit of lighthearted banter between a mother and son who love each other very much. I for one would rather read things like this than the usual daily robberies, stabbings, child abuse andjob loss stories which is the usual daily fodder of the T&A Not everyone needs to 'cry the poor tale' some people actually work bloody hard for a living you must have a sad life to have such a simile view of everybody :(
all you have to do nowadays is dangle a little bait & some boring, self righteous, nimby will take a BIG bite.
extracting the urine - not very cryptic, bt i'm sure someone of your intelligence will work it out.
Mrs L Smith
says...
8:43pm Mon 11 Feb 13
tornshaunton wrote:Oh Dear! Did I touch a nerve?
Mrs L Smith wrote:oh, you do waffle on - did you used to stand on a soap box at the side of Fattorini's on a saturday afternoon, with bible in hand ??
tornshaunton wrote:I personal wouldn't know as I don't have either but, to be honest if that had been a genuine question I wouldn't have recommended you get any sort of animal as you don't have enough empathy to care for one.and you probably would depress it to death. Couple of points: As far as i am aware likes on Facebook don't cost anything. you say you stopped buying the telegraph years ago because it failed you but you happily to read it for free! ? Maybe you should find a newspaper that's a bit more miserable and full of doom and gloom I think there's a hit and run of a child,a robbery and maybe a couple of drugs stories on the front page, they should suit you. Its supposed to be a local paper, either stop reading it or stop bleating about it, it's not like you're paying into it.Mrs L Smith wrote:my life is very good actually, thanks, but like i said, is this really a news story ?? the landlady at 2nd West pub at Lidget Green. the guy on Facebook who needs a million likes for his wife to let him go, etc, etc,etc - either do it or don't do it, bt don't ask the world if you can. this paper stopped running news stories years ago & i stopped buying it - it shys away from the real news stories in the bfd areas & declines comments on most stories except the "light hearted" stuff. now i need your help - should i get a new pitbull puppy or a pony for my front garden - i can't afford to do both ??tornshaunton wrote: news ??????? or crying the poor tale, hoping somebody will "donate" ??? getting sick of this sort of stuff - if you can't afford things, you don't get/do them - end of !!what is the matter with some of you people.???? It's meant to be a bit of lighthearted banter between a mother and son who love each other very much. I for one would rather read things like this than the usual daily robberies, stabbings, child abuse andjob loss stories which is the usual daily fodder of the T&A Not everyone needs to 'cry the poor tale' some people actually work bloody hard for a living you must have a sad life to have such a simile view of everybody :(
all you have to do nowadays is dangle a little bait & some boring, self righteous, nimby will take a BIG bite.
extracting the urine - not very cryptic, bt i'm sure someone of your intelligence will work it out.
tornshaunton
says...
9:29pm Mon 11 Feb 13
sharkiebites
says...
8:10am Tue 19 Feb 13
i am hoping to watch the game in the casino in sydney, i too am a lifelong city fan and the only thing i miss about the uk is football and city (sydney fc just does not do it )
so so wish i was going, not going to a wedding is not stopping me but being newly married is :) and saving up for a house in sydney is killing us.
if they get to the fa cup or champions league final i defiantly will
please join me in the casino
chris
Go Torps! Yer flying. says...
7:28am Thu 7 Feb 13