Rarely do you meet someone in life that you can call a true friend, people come and go, but the true lifelong mates stick around no matter what. They see you at your best and are there for you when things are at there worst, they never ask for anything in return, they're just there.
I lost my best mate over the weekend.
A mate I met through our club nearly 40 years ago, just by chance standing in the North bank at Upton Park.
I can't begin to tell the distances we've travelled since then, the laughs we've had, the scrapes we've gotten in to, and the memories we shared following West Ham. Like so many fans this club like others brings people together to share that bond. Some come and go, but the real one's remain.
I can't begin to express the sadness I feel right now, the sense of loss is huge.
He never came on here or wrote anything, but looked in now and again, it just simply wasn't his way. He loved West Ham and like so many of us had an unwavering support for our beloved club.
He probably wouldn't have wanted me to write this, no fan fare, no spiel etc, but it's something I felt I wanted to do, to pay tribute to a dear mate.
I will miss you my dear friend, thanks for everything.
R.I.P Frank.