Melbourne and the Football World mourn Jimmy Stynes

[anthony 0]

Many great memories of watching and talking to Jim over many years. He always had time to talk to a star struck supporter. The best memory though is of a night at a restaurant in South Yarra in the mid to late nineties. All friends of Jims', we filled this restaurant owned by a Demons supporter. The restaurateur let the good times roll and we all got into it. Forever etched into my memory will be singing "Cockels and Mussels, alive alive Oh" with the big Irishman.

Great memories of a great Demon.

[Jarka 767]

Just watched the tribute on channel 9, so incredibly moving and touching.

RIP Jimmy

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

Your contribution transcended our great game and you touched the lives of many! RIP Jim Stynes!

[Webber 10,468]

Impossible to imagine a greater legacy than that which this great and loyal humanist has left............thankyou Jim for your true and pure influence for good, from the club we love to the community you fostered.

[Demon Rob 2]

Jimmy was an inspiration to me as I've had my own cancer journey over the last two years. For him to cope with it as well as he did, when much worse than me, made my own troubles easier to cope with.

Jim has made me cry twice; this morning when I heard the news, and in 87 when I was sitting behind the goals at waverley.

Actually, after watching the replay tonight of the tribute I did cry last time I watched that too.

[sydneydee 687]

RIP Big Jim

You were my hero as I was growing up.

I love what he has done for our club and he makes me want to do more. An inspiration.

Thankyou for the memories

[Dalrot 85]

RIP Jim.

It's an honour to have met you and you will be sadly missed.

[Demon Rob 2]

I am probably asking the obvious here, but where do I get that terrific song? I needed that little smile today!

Winners and Sinners Mike Brady

got it on my phone, will have to make it the ringtone I guess!

[Roger Mellie 4,026]

A bit lost for words but ....what a legend

[hells bells 2,023]

Just watched the interview with Col Garland at the Melbourne website. He spoke so well about Jim and the future for the club. A credit to you Col.

Also very proud of the two captains and their handling of what must have been a very tough interview.

[QueenC 74]

Rest In Peace Jim Stynes....

Thank you for all you have done both in life and for our beloved Dees.

You will be sorely missed and always treasured.

[frankie_d 1,471]

"""

As good as he was to coach, Northey said his teammates appreciated him even more.

"They just loved him, they really did. He'd stand up for them, give them support," he said.

"When it came to the crunch you could bet your life on it that Jim Stynes would be there for his teammates."

"""

[QueenC 74]

Also very proud of the two captains and their handling of what must have been a very tough interview.

I agree Hells Bells, I thought they were amazing as well......

Grimes looked like he could barely get through it, and their words were in fantastic unity to the spirit of Jim.

Tears have flowed freely all day today.

Edited March 20, 2012 by QueenC

[bananas 428]

Jim Stynes' on-field journey was one of the most amazing stories our game has ever produced. It's the mark of the man that his football career ended up being pretty much the least amazing thing about him.

He was a giant, and he'll be missed ... but never forgotten.

[bush demon 2,041]

Jim Stynes you now lie in peace, a true great of this club. R.I.P.

[Guest Dr Who]

Good Bye Big Fella RIP

[Red and Bluebeard 2,084]

RIP Big Jimmy, one of life's gentlemen.

My thoughts and prayers are with Sam & the family and friends, for what will be a tough time until the funeral, and afterwards, for that matter.

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot? Keep your eye on the red and the blue!"

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

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.

Wow. I was thinking exactly those thoughts and words this morning Juzz as i was contemplating the loss and thinking of the positives to take from his life and efforts. Nice post

[Suzanna 72]

Winners and Sinners Mike Brady

got it on my phone, will have to make it the ringtone I guess!

Thanks, I will keep an eye out for it.

[Rich Demon 5]

I don't think words can express just how I feel today. No matter how much prepared one is fo such news, the moment it comes still hurts. Somehow I think we thought Jim was invincible, that somehow if anyone could overcome this it would be him. But alas it wasn't to be.

I've dug out the 244 game badge and will wear it proudly tomorrow, I'll make sure I have some tissues in my pocket, as I'm sure I'll need them again. I encourage all of you who still have this badge to do the same.

Edited March 20, 2012 by Rich Demon

[Goodvibes 3,596]

It's been an incredibly sad day. So many have commented on how deeply the loss of Jim has impacted on them. Like so many, I've shaken his hand and shared a few brief footy related words but have really had little to do with the great man on a personal level yet have grieved today like I've lost a close friend. Perhaps this ability to inspire so many outside of his own family and personal sphere, is his greatest gift.

I've always respected the Chuck Palahniuk philosophy. He said, "We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will". Jimmy, you've meant so much to so many and achieved so much across so many different fields. So many of us have feared for the future and the life of our footy club and without you it may well have died. I now have no reason to think that the MFC can't live on forever and while this footy club we love is still breathing so will the Jim Stynes name and stories of your feats on and off the footy field will be passed on from generation to generation. RIP Jim.

Can I just add that I often walk away from my computer screen after a session on Demonland with a fair degree of frustration with some of the stuff that gets aired here and the constant negativity but reading this thread on and off all day has made me genuinely proud to be a member of this club and this site. The members here have moved me with their sincere outpouring of emotion as we've all been coming to terms with the loss of our spiritual leader. Well done Demonland - you've been all class. Jimmy would be proud.

[Tulip 0]

My first memory of big Jim is from 1987 when I was a kid and a young irishman ran across the mark and our chances of a first flag since '64 were stolen. I cried.

Fast forward 25 years, and I have marvelled at Jim's achievements, his contribution on and off the field, his strength and determination. Once again, he has brought me to tears.

What a champion.

[bjDee 1,249]

Farewell Jimmy. Thank you, and thank you, and thank you again.

Rest easy now. Rest in Peace.

[Hobbits's 17]

RIP Jimmy Stynes..an amazing human being, thank you for your efforts and contribution to our club and the lives you helped save from trouble.

[diesel 420]

At the end of this sad day I glance at the clock prior to calling it a night and the time? 11:11