| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause 14:30 - Aug 21 with 10991 views | Dominkingston |
Hi all. Like many who read this forum I have often meant to post but not gone round to it until now. I’d like to introduce myself and most importantly tell you about a dear friend and fellow R who we lost last year, how wonderful our club were to him, and a good cause in his name.
But first I must add my sincere thanks to Clive for all he does (and helping me finally get this post on the forum) and all of you here who never fail to make me smile. I’d also like to thank Dave and all at AKUTRS for their dedication and especially Julie who always brightens up a match day.
So I’m Dom in Kingston and some of you may recognise me as I used to regularly call in to Phil Parry’s show on BBC London in the ‘90s. Born in ‘62 and early years brought up by Chelski Dad including a home made Peter Bonetti outfit when 5 years old. Move on a few years and when first watching the Big Match in the late ‘60s I had my epiphany and started my journey on the roller coaster ride we have all been on since we first fell for the team in blue and white hoops. My first game was WHUFC at LR in ‘74 and took my younger brother (himself a life long hammer). We lost 0-2 but I was hooked and spent the ‘70s either in the Loft or East Paddock before graduating to the Ellerslie Road from the ‘80s onwards. My parents were publicans and amongst their pubs were the Robert Peel here in KIngston and the KIngs Head on the Fulham Palace Road. Both pubs long gone now. Maybe some of you enjoyed my Mums (Pam) hospitality or were barred by my Dad (Tony)? I originally went to St Paul’s in Hammersmith (a public school) but at 13 I was taken out (my headmaster once wrote that ‘Dominic’s vocabulary was more akin to the public bar than the public school”) and sent to Sir Walter St John’s (Sinjuns) Grammar School in Battersea. I arrived with the accent of Lord Snooty and soon got that kicked out of me. The school was split 50/50 between those two teams we love to hate but there was a handful of us who kept the blue and white flag flying…..like many of you of a similar age we never had it so good as that team in the mid ‘70s. My old school mates and I still meet up (where did the last 50 years go?) and the two of us who are loyal R’sss have to suffer the slings and arrows from those that follow those other two teams, but we give as good as we get. You can see from my Avatar (thanks to Art of Football a treasured possession) who is my eternal hero. So many memories of Stan and what we now call ‘different times’….like you all I could drone on for hours but there was one goal that stands out……looking on from the paddock as Tony Currie hit an Exocet on the volley from a sublime pass by Stan against FFC back in ‘79. Although the best goal I have ever seen was of course Trevors.
So here we are in 2024 and the love affair endures no matter how infuriating our team has been for what has been too long.
Sadly one person who is no longer with us is my dear friend and fellow R - Rick Bewsey - who I first met when I joined the CAA in 1990 and with whom I shared many happy times either at LR or on the road with our families. I remember a few years ago the two of us being the only ones in the Goldhawk for a midweek game against Waaallll when the pub was suddenly invaded by what seemed 100’s of the c**ts in their pink polo shirts. In seconds the pub was surrounded by riot police and Rick remained calm throughout until they finally left and we got a beer on the house for being brave…although we were sh*tting ourselves. The Goldhawk was our home from home and it was there that we heard “no points deduction’ before the Leeds game. What a p*ss up that was only matched by the one after THAT game at Wembley and THAT goal by Bobbie……we shared those celebrations with our kids and great friends the Holdings and Ingles and I know they read this forum so a big shout out to them! Rick was one of the kindest people I have ever known and I always aspired to be like him. Even in the darkest times for our club he always said “Keep the Faith’ and for every game predicted a ‘nervy 2-1 to the R’s’. We lost Rick last year after the bravest of battles against a brain tumour that we thought he had beaten only for it to return. Those who knew and loved him miss him very much. His eldest Mark is running the London marathon next year in aid of St Catherines hospice that took such good care of Rick. I have asked Mark to provide a few words and to tell you how wonderful our club were to Rick and his family…..
‘ Dad chose to support QPR when taken by his Dad in 1966 to a London game chosen at random which happened to be QPR 6-1 Millwall. He was hooked and now we have 3 generations of R's fans in the family, including 4 grandkids who are/ will be QPR fans, one (Harrison) who aged 6 is utterly obsessed even though he's yet to see a win (he's been 7 times).
The club were incredible when they found out about Dad's illness . We were hosted by Ruben in the Directors box for a game in December 2022, and extremely well looked after. Paul Morrissey (PR) and Andy Sinton in particular were so good, but it has to be said that it was Ruben who reached out and supported us, was very generous and gave us so much time.
Having been going since 1966 and sitting mainly in the loft or ER stand, his final game was in the Directors box. Sadly his health declined rapidly after that point. The club were keen to help introduce the next generation and my son had a wonderful pitch side experience last season
This all coincided with awful form on the pitch, but the personnel around the club couldn't have been better and made us even more proud to support the R's.’
If any of you knew Rick and/or would like to make a donation to this worthy cause then Marks link is:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/mark-bewsey
I feel I have already outstayed my welcome so will say Ta Ta for now. If you have got this far then my sincere thanks and before I go…..I love cheese and if pushed it would have to be Cashel Blue…..Cheers. It would only be fitting in Ricks honour to go for a “nervy 2-1” this weekend.
U R’ssssssssss!!
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| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 00:23 - Aug 22 with 1992 views | Dominkingston |
Ah! Thank you for the welcome ! I am new here and it’s not my intention to upset anyone with my cheese choice least of all Brian who I admire and respect….but I stand by my choice. It is part of the initiation ritual to join this hallowed company? Maybe you and I could discuss cheeses with Brian privately? I am sure Clive doesn’t want any upset here after he has toiled for so long to get my first post on here. Hoping you understand. You seem a wise person. [Post edited 22 Aug 0:34]
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| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 00:43 - Aug 22 with 1966 views | BrianMcCarthy |
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| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 00:44 - Aug 22 with 1955 views | BrianMcCarthy |
Ha!
To be fair, Cashel Blue is much nicer than Coolea.
But just don't tell anyone from Tipp that I said so ;) | |
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| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 00:51 - Aug 22 with 1932 views | Dominkingston |
I hoped/knew it was you! But as I said before….with you I don’t hear your voice….I see a really kind gentleman who looks like you know who…….but seriously…. Tá meas mór agam ar do phoist agus cuireann tú i gcónaí mé ag smaoineamh. cuireann tú i gcuimhne dom go minic cad a déarfadh mo chara Rick....hope that you understood….. [Post edited 22 Aug 0:58]
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| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 07:47 - Aug 22 with 1781 views | WokingR |
Wow, really don't know how you're going to top such an excellent first post with your next thread.
You're going to have to tell us how you lost your real virginity.
In detail.
With pictures.
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| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 08:03 - Aug 22 with 1755 views | westberksr |
and i can confirm that Lblock is the spitting image of Chris Morris and sounds just like him too.......... possibly
great post Dom, welcome aboard. Sincere condolences to you and all of Rick's family.
your story is like so many of ours on here; the dates and people may differ slightly but the sentiment and underlying bonds that are made are the same. very poignant and one that many of us will sadly have to repeat ourselves at some point; or already have; but the memories of good times and will remain forever | | | |
| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 09:54 - Aug 22 with 1595 views | Dominkingston |
Thanks Woking. I guess that may be on interest to some but I’ll leave that to your imagination! For those romantics on here I will say that I am blessed in that I have now been with the lady who was my first for seven years now…..after a 36 year gap of no contact where we each had marriages and kids. As Barry White would have said….she’s my first, my last, my everything! | | | |
| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 10:01 - Aug 22 with 1578 views | Dominkingston |
Thanks Westberks. I hadn’t appreciated the reaction my post would get and you have summarised how many have told me it has made them feel. I hope that all those that have, or will, lose loved ones will find their happy memories gave, or will give, them strength. Those we have lost truly live on while we still remember them. | | | |
| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 10:20 - Aug 22 with 1528 views | CroydonCaptJack |
What a wonderful, eloquent first post.
Welcome Dom and very sorry to hear of your loss. What fantastic memories you have though that can never be taken away.
Your post summed up what a great club this is. A proper community. | | | |
| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 10:28 - Aug 22 with 1508 views | Dominkingston |
Thanks Capt! We are a special community indeed and must never lose that togetherness! With all the positive feedback I’m not sure if I should post again but go out on a high….a one hit wonder!! | | | |
| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 10:50 - Aug 22 with 1447 views | CroydonCaptJack |
You have to ask yourself - do you really want to be known as LFWs Joe Dolce? | | | |
| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 10:52 - Aug 22 with 1444 views | Dominkingston |
Can I be Norman Greenbaum instead? | | | |
| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause (n/t) on 11:55 - Aug 22 with 1391 views | nix |
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| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 11:56 - Aug 22 with 1388 views | nix |
That's amazing! How did you meet up again after all these years?
Lovely story. | | | |
| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 12:55 - Aug 22 with 1291 views | FredManRave |
Great first post, Dom and don't be forever known as LFW's Toni Basel and keep posting.
And nix has set you up nicely here to smash it out the park with your next thread... | |
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| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 13:41 - Aug 22 with 1213 views | Dominkingston |
Hi Nix. Long story but was still in touch with mutual friend who gave me her married name….quick search on FB and boom!! Here we are now! | | | |
| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 13:47 - Aug 22 with 1172 views | Dominkingston |
Cheers Fred! I’ll give it some thought. Watch this forum…… | | | |
| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 14:27 - Aug 22 with 1072 views | SimonJames |
Sincerest condolences on Rick's passing - it was a year today that I lost my mother, so thoughts of loved ones are at the forefront today.
Great first post BTW.
I was at Kingston Poly in the mid 80's, so I remember the Robert Peel, down by the Cambridge Estate. As I recall, it had some rather "revealing" lunchtime entertainment  | |
| 100% of people who drink water will die. |
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| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 16:07 - Aug 22 with 978 views | ted_hendrix |
Welcome. | |
| My Father had a profound influence on me, he was a lunatic. |
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| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 18:52 - Aug 22 with 859 views | Dominkingston |
I’m so sorry to hear of your sad loss of your Mum. I wrote earlier Ianout memories and I am sure your Mum lives on in your memories and also those who knew and loved her.
So glad to hear from someone who went to the Peel and experienced the entertainment. Different times indeed! | | | |
| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 18:55 - Aug 22 with 857 views | Dominkingston |
Thank you Ted! I was hoping you would post as whenever I see your avatar I always think of my younger self laughing to Spy v Spy! | | | |
| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 18:58 - Aug 22 with 850 views | Mick_S |
Shaddapa you face. Innit. 😂 etc | |
| Did I ever mention that I was in Minder? |
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| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 20:12 - Aug 22 with 781 views | PunteR |
Welcome mate. Sorry for your loss but a lovely tribute to your good friend Rick.
I know Kingston well as I used to live in the neighboring town Richmond. ( Back working in Kingston atm).
Great debut post Dom. | |
| Occasional providers of half decent House music. |
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| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 21:58 - Aug 22 with 695 views | BlackCrowe |
Just back from Boaters. What an underwhelming pub unless you can get on the balcony when the sun is shining. Not many great pubs around these parts...New Inn on Ham Common is proper old skool and good, Grey Horse is grungey and a bit rock and roll when the mood takes, but much better pubs to be found in Richond and across the water in Twickenham and Teddington. Shame. | |
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| Losing my LFW virginity to remember a dear friend and for a worthy cause on 22:31 - Aug 22 with 670 views | PunteR |
Haven't been drinking in Kingston for years.
The New Inn on Ham common is really nice, was in there couple of years back. .
Richmond is the place for drinks and food these days. Was in the Roebuck with my mum and dad last week. Great little pub on Richmond hill. Good food. One of my favourite places in the world. | |
| Occasional providers of half decent House music. |
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