The Sad Passing Of A Latics Fan

Hello all. I'm Jack Green, aka JackMartinez to those of you who use the message board here on Vital Latics. On December the 11th, 2012, my Dad and best friend, Trevor Green lost his lifelong battle with depression.

I was fortunate to have this great man in my life, even if it was only for 18 years.

He came from humble beginnings, his Dad a tool maker at Rolls Royce, and mother an assistant in a small shop. He wasn`t liked by teachers at school, (due to the constant challenging of different theories) who would constantly tell him, 'You'll never make anything of your life.' In his final year of school he requested to sit five A/O Levels instead of the traditional three, two of the subjects weren`t even on the syllabus. He had cycled between Nantwich and Crewe to learn these extra subjects. He achieved great grades in all of the subjects and went on to Hull University.

Following this he became a headmaster at a large college in Exeter, South England. Most schools in the area would find any excuse to stop traveller children from attending, but not my Dad. Being an underdog himself he welcomed these children and helped them to gain the education they deserved.

Following a heart attack he was forced to retire. He then went into the examining world more a less full time after spending nearly all of his teaching career marking for a bit of extra cash. He became the Chief Examiner of Citizenship and General Studies.

My Dad was a big Northerner, he found expressing himself hard unless it was on paper, which made it difficult for him to discuss his feelings and his worries. However Wigan Athletic brought my Dad and I together.

When my parents divorced he moved up to Manchester while I stayed in South Wales with my Mum. We were season ticket holders for 6 years in the East Stand. On a daily basis we'd be talking Wigan Athletic, who to sign, who's injured (a hot topic recently), will we survive? The 200 mile trip I used to make was cut when I got into Manchester University this year. I'm so glad I was able to attend games on a more regular basis recently.

Before he passed away I told him I couldn't attend the QPR game on the 8th of December. However I went down early, and got a shirt signed by all the players and gave it to him as a Christmas present. He was overwhelmed and burst into tears. Three days later, he was gone.

Thank you for reading this article, there is also an article today in the Wigan Observer, and I'd like to thank Worbo for putting me in touch with Greg Farrimond who put the article together. I'd also like to thank Barry again and Phil for all the support they've given me during this hard time.

However, this article is not looking for sympathy for my family and I. This is the most important paragraph.

Depression can be cured. That is a fact. People can get over it, if they seek the right help for them. I want my story to give anyone that needs it a kick up the backside. Tell my story to anyone that you feel will benefit from it. I said to myself when my Dad died, if I help one other person I've not let him die in vain. I feel articles like this will help me achieve this. I don't want another young son, daughter, wife or partner being left behind by someone who was too proud to seek help. Being silent isn't being strong.

Jack.

If anyone wishes to contact me to chat about this article my email address is j.green.wafc@gmail.com

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