Melbourne and the Football World mourn Jimmy Stynes

[Grapeviney 9,800]

It was very moving to see cars driving around Melbourne today with their headlights on as a gesture of respect and mourning.

His football achievements were considerable, but they pale into insignificance when compared with what he did off the field through Reach.

A real diamond in the rough.

The MFC was lucky to be able to call him one of our own, but in the bigger picture Australia as a whole was blessed that he chose to make this place his home.

RIP Big Jim. Sincere condolences to your family and friends, both here and in Ireland.

[wattsup 470]

R.I.P big fella you are the reason i follow the melbourne football clup you are and always will be my HERO

[Footynut 302]

I have woken early this morning on the other side of the world to hear of this news. I normally dont post alot but feel compelled to write and echo the sentiments everyone here has put forward. I never met Jim, but he has been my idol as a kid growing up wanting to emulate on the field, to adult life where he has been a true leader with values and integrity in and outside of football. Jim showed us all never to give up. Sincerest sympathies to Jim's entire family from the bottom of my heart. MFC and Jim are forever intertwined and we will never forget. What a breathtaking human being to have had as an idol.

RIP Jim.

[Demon_JB 1,385]

WWJD. "What would Jim do?"

He was that much of an inspiration that I will ask myself this question with certain decisions in my life, due to his humble and moral approach. This world could do with more people like Jim Stynes, and if we acted the way he did towards others and applied the same passion he did for the MFC to our lives, we could all make a difference for ourselves and people around us.

RIP Jim. Gone, but never forgotten.

Edited March 20, 2012 by juzzk1d

[Ouch! 2,266]

Great gesture, but is forfeiting club sponsorship money for an entire season really something the club can afford to do..?

Possibly not, however if we push to 40k members like Jim wanted to see it certainly helps offset any financial loss, but speaks volumes about the great man, and what he means to the MFC and it's members.

Edited March 20, 2012 by Oucher

[Tatu 416]

R.I.P Jim......

[Macca 17,033]

Can we please just let people show their respect with some heartfelt words .

Keep the debate on other matters for another time .

Thank you

Edited March 20, 2012 by Macca

[Demonland 73,140]

Can we just let people show their respect with some heartfelt words .

Keep the debate on other matters for another time .

Thank you

Agreed. Could everyone please leave the debates to another day and only use this thread for what it is intended for.

[LeBron James 41]

RIP Jim. You will be remembered for as long as the game of Australian Rules continues. One of the greatest people on the field and off it. A massive loss for society in general.

[demonkeaney 61]

We lost one of the greats today. A truly sad day. You are an inspiration and will continue to inspire many others long after today. RIP big jimma

[monoccular 17,573]

Jim has given so much to the club, the AFL, sport in general and to the whole community, and will be most sadly missed. Irreplaceable. My sympathies and admiration to his family.

There is so much more, but I am lost for words at this time.

[PaulRB 6,411]

Rest well Jimmy, content that you lived well, touched many and left a great legacy. Condolences to your family.

A true gentleman and demon.

[Dnic 5]

The challenge our football club faces now is how we handle the legacy left to us by Jim. I was deeply moved and proud to hear the leadership group of the club today talk about how they won't treat Jim's memory as a trite crutch to gee up players on occasions, not like a stage prop, but more as our ongoing foundation for how we want to be seen in the future. I'd hate for the sad passing of a great individual reduced to a mere "do it for Jim", rather, as he encouraged through his work at Reach, "do it for yourself, do it for all of us" be the best you can be in your own capacity. That was his message. By being great, we honour Jim. He was great, and he raised the bar to which we should aspire. We owe him that.

[Daz's Dee's 113]

Just purchased my limited Eddition reach guernsey with number 11 on the back (almost got 37 hard choice) I feel very proud to have purchased this and can't wait to receive it as a tribute to the great man!

[east gippsland demon 7]

There is not much left to say everyone on here has summed up how we are all feeling very well . I think it speaks a lot of the man that i feel like ive lost a friend even though i never met Jim . He united us all as melbourne supporters and i think we need to make sure we never forget that . So when the chips are down we need to stick fat with the dees and support unconditionly until we get the flag and say thats for you big jim .

[H_T 3,049]

My condolences go out to the Stynes family, friends, close acquaintances and anyone who has felt his passing.

A tough sad day for not just Melbourne supporters, but for all lives Jim inspired and touched.

I'm proud to have met you Jim.

Too many positive words I want to use. Most have been covered already in many, many tributes from around the globe.

Remarkable and legendary man that has left a legacy and inspired many.

RIP Jim.

[Deevout 492]

If there is a heaven it now holds the Mightiest Demon of them all...

Playing Legend, Club Savior.

R.I.P.

[DemonWorshipper 304]

Goodbye Big Jim, you will be missed by many. Today is sad day, but every time we think of you, it will be happy & fond memories of the great man you were.

RIP Number 11...

Edited March 20, 2012 by DemonWorshipper

[saka888 54]

R.I.P Jimmy... May there be no demons where your going,only angels....

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

True Deevout... of the greatest of all demons, many are still with us, Ronald, Robbie, Neitz...

Norm Smith was waiting at the pearly gates to thank Jim for keeping his club alive...

[DeeZee 7,445]

Is it possible to feel terribly sad and heart broken, and at the same time uplifted and inspired?

Only Jimma could do it..........

[fatmanblues 10]

An auld Irish toast to Jimmy Stynes: "May you be half-an-hour in heaven before the Devil knows your dead!".

I'll be having Guinness or two tonight in the great man's honour.

RIP Jimmy Stynes

[Pipefitter 2,168]

Your actions and words make us all walk taller. You can finally rest big fella.

[hardtack 10,627]

MFC just tweeted that Don McLardy will be on The Project at 6pm Channel 10 tonight and Chris Connolly on AFL360 at 7:30 on Fox Footy.

[Guest Checker]

Rest in peace Jim. Your work with young kids through REACH, your efforts in saving the great club we all love and your heroics as a player will forever be an inspiration to me. Free of pain at last.